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

Adverb

• again and again
• constantly
• continually
• frequently
• much
• oft
• often
• oftentimes
• ofttimes
• over and over
• repeatedly

Examples of hourly in a Sentence

Adverb

she checks her phone for messages hourly

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Indiana lawmakers voted to give more money to families caring for children with medically complex conditions who previously relied on a program allowing them to be paid hourly as attendant caregivers. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024

California’s seemingly high fast food wage – after it’s adjusted for the cost of living – was only $13.47 hourly as of May 2023. —Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 7 June 2024

Adjective

California’s minimum wage increased to $16 an hour in 2024 with the hourly rate set to rise to $18 in 2025. —Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024

Time was, only progressives made outlandish claims such as that hourly wages have been stagnant for more than half a century. —Scott Winship, National Review, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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