Which one do you prefer: “anticlockwise” or “counterclockwise”?

Widdershins

Anticlockwise is more common in british and australian english than american english. Both are fine anywhere people speak english.

I know this is a British/American difference so I’ll say I only ever say counterclockwise, but I love the energy of anticlockwise. Like you’re actively opposing the clock direction rather than just going against it.

Clockwisen't /s

anticlockwise in the UK counterclockwise in the US no idea anywhere else. It doesn’t matter though, they are mutually understandable

I don’t think I’ve ever used anti clockwise and I usually hear counter clockwise in my area

Both are fine. “Counterclockwise” is more common in North America, and “anticlockwise” elsewhere. Both should be understood by any native speaker of English.

Anticlockwise - I’m British. Counterclockwise doesn’t feel natural to me

Always anticlockwise for me

you should be good for both, anyone who understands english should be able to figure out what you mean by "counter" or "anti" no matter which one they prefer

*Counterclockwise* is an Americanism. *Anticlockwise* for me

If you’re in America or Canada counterclockwise. If you’re in the UK or Australia anticlockwise

If someone said "anticlockwise" to my face, I might punch them as a reflex

I'm American so the standard here is counterclockwise, but I prefer anticlockwise because it sounds like whatever is rotating is taking some kind of moral stand against the clockwise direction, which I find amusing.

For US English, counterclockwise.

Singaporean here, anticlockwise for me.

As an American, I've never heard the word anticlockwise in my life before this post -- and I'm not particularly young.

esiwkcolc

No one

I don’t think I’ve ever seen counterclockwise except in foreign novels. English people say anti-clockwise or occasionally widdershins, but we would understand when non-English people say counterclockwise because the meaning is obvious.

I am in Canada I heard them using counterclockwise most of the time

anticlockwise

This sub has been popping up on my page forever, haha Counterclockwise is more common, but both work just fine!

Both work. But I prefer counterclockwise.

counter

There is a third option: “widdershins”. It is a very old word and it is associated with witches and bad luck.

I prefer anticlockwise. I would understand counterclockwise, but it might catch me off guard and I’d have to think for a second. Counterclockwise is an Americanism, I suspect most English speakers internationally would prefer anticlockwise.

"Positive"

I prefer "counter" as in you're countering the natural way. Anti sounds too abstract for me, as in you can be anti idea better question: are you antee or anteye

I'd say counterclockwise.

How about (wax on) & (wax off)? To anybody learning any kind of English (British or American or Australian), don’t take this suggestion as a serious suggestion…

I taught physics in the US and the UK. In the US, I had never ever used the word anticlockwise. I now like it more and prefer it.

counter

Is anticounterclockwise just clockwise?

counterclockwise is what's usually used here in America, at least.

i learnt anticlockwise growing up so that’s what i’m used to

I’d never say anticlockwise, counterclockwise it is.

This is a cultural divide. I never ran into the phrase "anticlockwise" until I was watching a show on TV last year. I legit thought the character was having a stroke. I was baffled when no one on the show reacted to it

Widdershins

I prefer "anti"

Widdershins.

I've never heard anti clockwise in my life. You learn something new everyday.

Anticlockwise.

I'd be lying if I said that I've ever heard "anticlockwise", even though I'm aware of its existence. So, "counterclockwise", that is.

Counterclockwise makes my skin crawl lmao

American: Counterclockwise is most commonly used. In some other places, they use anticlockwise. I don't know why.

Counterclockwise is the American way, but anticlockwise sounds very cool to say. It feels like you're having a revolution against the clocks. Stand strong my anticlockwise brothers we shall prevail 🫡

Counter, I’m Canadian.

Some Americans would probably get confused at hearing “anticlockwise.” Not sure if that’d be the same for British people and “counterclockwise,” but if you’re speaking to Americans, I’d stick with “counterclockwise” just to be safe.

I'd mostly prefers "Counter - clockwise", as I encounter this term way more common rather than "Anti - clockwise". But both r fine for me tbh

Counterclockwise is the common American usage; anticlockwise is British and maybe other places.

Anti - because it’s the same in my native language so it makes the most “sense” to me

Here it's counterclockwise.

I’m Canadian and I’ve heard counterclockwise and anticlockwise, both. Counterclockwise is more common here, by far. I would expect many people who know counterclockwise to just totally be unaware of anticlockwise and think of it as a mistake. I would expect almost anyone using anticlockwise to know of the existence of counterclockwise. This just because of the prevalence of American culture globally while British and other global English is not that common within North America.

English teacher here! I’d probably recommend “counter clockwise” to my more beginner students bc the alliteration makes it easier to remember. But my family is British and American so I’m used to both

(UK English) anticlockwise. Counterclockwise has always sounded so stupid to me.

Never heard anyone say anti-. 

Didn't know anticlockwise was even a thing. Damn British continue to mess up their own language.

Counterclockwise. Never heard anti clockwise

I ain't never heard "anticlockwise" a day in my life💀

Anticlockwise 100%

American English speaker, counterclockwise for the alliteration but honestly I have never heard of anti clockwise until this very post. I hate it lol

Counter

Counter (artificial bilingual)

Typically it’s counterclockwise

Counterclockwise is used more frequently, so that is the one to use. 

In America we exclusively use "counter-".

Can someone give some examples of use?

American prefer counterclockwise but will still understand what you mean with anti clockwise

Yes

Clock-unwise

Counterclockwise

I have never heard of anticlockwise. Maybe that's a UK thing. Everyone around me says Counterclockwise

I learned it "clockwise"; that's about it.

I quite like 'anticlockwise', but as an American 'counterclockwise' is permanent seared into my brain. It's as deep as 1+1=2.

Anticlockwise always sounds like someone who is against the very concept of clockwise, or using clocks at all! So I'm going with sinistrorsal.

I've never heard anticlockwise before. It sounds wrong. May be common elsewhere but not here

No preference. Australia's preference would probably be counterclockwise, especially these days. Both are used, counterclockwise is heard more.

I have never seen anticlockwise before (and my autocorrect just marked it wrong) and I hope to never see it again.

Counterclockwise

I've never heard anticlockwise before reading this post.

I’ve never heard anyone say “anitclockwise”

Anticlockwise makes me feel like you have moral hangups regarding clockwise.

hmm counter clock wise i used!

i've never heard "anticlockwise" until i read this, (but i could infer what this means) so perhaps it's just a regional variation?

Imagine these adjectives applies to two fellas. The counterclockwise guy would be working to make sure all the clocks go against clockwise. The anticlockwise guy (if we take "anti" to mean "disfavoring", as it most often does) just wants to make sure they arent going clockwise--merely stopping clocks is good enough for him. he doesnt necessarily care about clocks running. So the counterclockwise guy, and thus "counterclockwise", better directs your mind to thinking of something going against the direction of a clock.