hourly

1 of 2

adverb

hour·​ly ˈau̇(-ə)r-lē 

: at or during every hour

also : frequently, continually

hourly

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: occurring hour by hour

hourly bus service

b

: frequent, continual

in hourly expectation of the rain's stopping

2

: computed in terms of an hour

an hourly wage

3

: paid by the hour

hourly workers

Synonyms

Adverb

• constantly
• often
• frequently
• repeatedly
• continually

Examples of hourly in a Sentence

Adverb

she checks her phone for messages hourly

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The average American interacts with software daily, almost hourly. —John Spencer-Taylor, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Check diapers hourly and change them away from the pool to prevent fecal contamination. —Lisa Cuchara, The Conversation, 23 July 2025

Adjective

In 2013, a British study of 1,000 mothers found that children asked their parents more than 300 questions per day at an hourly rate that rivals the pace of the Prime Minister’s Questions time. —Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

If tips, combined with that hourly rate, don't equal Wisconsin's minimum wage of $7.25, employers must cover the difference. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hourly

• sourly

Kids Definition

hourly

adjective

hour·​ly

ˈau̇(ə)r-lē

1

: occurring every hour

hourly bus service

2

: figured in terms of one hour

hourly wages

hourly adverb