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 of hourly

Adverb

• often
• constantly
• frequently
• repeatedly
• continually

Examples of hourly in a Sentence

Adverb

she checks her phone for messages hourly

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

This misses the immediate realities of a workforce that is roughly 70 percent hourly. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

The longer it’s left untreated, the higher the mortality rate, which can increase hourly. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 May 2026

Adjective

For instance, Nursing gig platforms have been found to pit essential workers against each other by offering shifts to those who bid the lowest hourly wage. —Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026

The top job on the list is car technician and mechanic, with a median hourly wage of almost $24. —Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 2 June 2026

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