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

Walmart also noted that the average hourly starting wage is $16. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

This estimates how much a full-time worker must earn hourly to afford a rental home at HUD’s fair market rent without spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The Society for Popular Astronomy lists a tentative zenithal hourly rate of around 10 at maximum in 2026. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have risen by 3%. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 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