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

Once certified, Rivera said electricians can expect to start with earnings between $28 to $30 per hour, while apprentice plumbers generally make between $32 and $35 hourly. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Many are running hourly or half-hourly services. —Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026

Adjective

The hourly rates are guided by law, but some attorneys have pointed out that there is little oversight on the scope of the work performed or the length of time. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

At the end of May last year, bar advocates — private lawyers that take on indigent criminal clients — had started refusing to take up new cases in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties, citing low hourly rates. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 16 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