hourly

1 of 2

adverb

hour·​ly ˈau̇(-ə)r-lē How to pronounce hourly (audio)
Synonyms of hourlynext
: 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

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of hourly in a Sentence

Adverb she checks her phone for messages hourly
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
And while there are other memorial walls etched with thousands of names across the region, families say there is something about a cemetery that offers special solace, especially at Holy Rood, where trains pass hourly. — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 30 July 2026 There also were hourly readings well into the purple category, which marks very unhealthy air. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Adjective
For weeks, nurses have railed on social media about the upcoming cuts to block pay — the extra hourly rate paid for certain high-demand nursing positions during the height of COVID-19. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026 In its campaign for the $30 hourly minimum wage, Unite Here was up against hotels, airlines and other business groups that argued the wage hike would trigger layoffs and closures of restaurants, hotels and airport concession stands. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hourly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hourly was in the 15th century

Rhymes for hourly

See All Rhymes for hourly

Browse Nearby Words

hour-long
hourly
hourly-rated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hourly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hourly. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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