hourly

American  

[ouuhr-lee, ou-er-] / ˈaʊər li, ˈaʊ ər- /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, occurring, or done each successive hour.

   hourly news reports.

2. computed or totaled in terms of an hour; using an hour as a basic unit of reckoning.

   hourly wages.

3. hired to work for wages by the hour.

   hourly workers.

4. frequent; continual.

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adverb

1. every hour; hour by hour.

2. at each hour or during every hour.

3. frequently; continually.

hourly British  

/ ˈaʊəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, occurring, or done every hour

2. done in or measured by the hour

   we are paid an hourly rate

3. continual or frequent

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adverb

1. every hour

2. at any moment or time

Etymology

Origin of hourly

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at hour, -ly

Example Sentences

Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have climbed 3.4%, well below the 4% pace this time last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Petersen said the union is looking for “substantial increases” in hourly pay, to more than $30 an hour.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Unite Here Local 11 demands Legends Global raise hourly wages to $40 from $28, increase gratuities, and protect workers from federal immigration agents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

I put forward two ways this could happen under the new tax law, one each for hourly and salaried workers.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Celia stops walking as she reaches the open square, halting next to the towering astronomical clock where carved apostles are making their scheduled hourly appearance despite the weather.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• annual
• intermittent
• monthly
• occasional
• recurrent
• recurring
• regular
• repeated
• routine
• seasonal
• sporadic
• weekly
• yearly