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

Prizes are awarded hourly, giving players multiple chances to win ahead of National Burrito Day on April 2. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

Hormone levels bounce around during adolescence and in adult women change hourly, daily, and during different parts of the menstrual cycle. —Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Or the planner may work on an ongoing hourly fee, with an estimate of total costs. —Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

The game challenges players to guess the hourly burrito combination for a chance to unlock prizes. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 30 Mar. 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