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

Lowe’s employs about 300,000 people, mostly hourly. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025

Pay Papa pals are paid hourly at rates from $13 to $19 per hour. —Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Instead of $50 per day, all jurors would earn the hourly minimum wage equal to an eight-hour day (about $130 daily). —Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

Under the contact, hourly wages will rise to $63 in 2029, from the current $39. —Peter Eavis, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

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