hourly

1 of 2

adverb

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

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

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
This table tracks the US Air Quality Index hourly at hundreds of locations across the country. Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 Many stores will cook the chicken in batches hourly or every couple of hours. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2026
Adjective
The 2025 national median hourly rate for non-medical caregiver services increased 3% year over year to $35 per hour. Sharon Epperson, CNBC, 3 July 2026 Doing the math, the hourly cost of the $59 evening ticket is higher than even the most expensive day of the year at Disneyland. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hourly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hourly. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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

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