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

And while there are other memorial walls etched with thousands of names across the region, families say there is something about a cemetery that offers special solace, especially at Holy Rood, where trains pass hourly. — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 30 July 2026

There also were hourly readings well into the purple category, which marks very unhealthy air. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Adjective

Since the pandemic, average wholesale food prices remain about 35% above February 2020 levels, while restaurant employee hourly earnings have increased 41%. — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Hester envisioned a massive sports complex with the capacity for larger crowds and modern facilities for players and would offer over scores of tennis courts available to the public at modest hourly rates. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 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