small hours
English
Etymology
From the small number used to identify such hours (e.g. 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock).
Noun
small hours pl (plural only)
- The very early morning, just after midnight, when most people are asleep.
- 2017 June 26, Alexis Petridis, “Glastonbury 2017 verdict: Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Lorde, Stormzy and more”, in the Guardian:
- ...the writer conjured up a dystopian fantasy more berserk than anything you might find yourself listening to in the small hours at the Stone Circle.
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Usage notes
Almost always used with the definite article (the small hours), or occasionally with a demonstrative adjective (these small hours, those small hours).
Synonyms
- (very early morning): wee hours, wee small hours
Translations
very early morning
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