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

The chart below is updated hourly with the latest medal count of the 2026 Games. —Paula Cohen, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026

Employees making the minimum hourly starting rate for the Charlotte region’s largest hospital system are receiving pay increases this week, Advocate Health announced. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Updates are provided on a nearly hourly basis on TODAY and NBC News, and the sheriff’s news conferences are carried live on the channel. —Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026

British labor is expensive, with a minimum hourly wage of more than 12 pounds ($16) and rising employer national insurance contributions. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 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