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

Chaos ripples out from the Oval Office hourly as from rocks dumped into a pond. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026

We are paid hourly as well as a commission on the sewing machines. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026

Adjective

If nothing else, the iconic five-note sounder will likely be ringing in their collective ears long after the hourly network newscasts end next month. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Teymourian takes over in the afternoon, using hourly leave to cover the gap. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 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