quarterly

American  

[kwawr-ter-lee] / ˈkwɔr tər li /

adjective

1. occurring, done, paid, issued, etc., at the end of every quarter of a year.

   a quarterly report; quarterly interest.

2. pertaining to or consisting of a quarter.

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noun

plural

quarterlies

1. a periodical issued every three months.

adverb

1. by quarters; once each quarter of a year.

   The bank pays interest quarterly.

2. Heraldry.

   1. with division into four quarters.

   2. in the four quarters of an escutcheon.

quarterly British  

/ ˈkwɔːtəlɪ /

adjective

1. occurring, done, paid, etc, at intervals of three months

2. of, relating to, or consisting of a quarter

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noun

1. a periodical issued every three months

adverb

1. once every three months

2. heraldry into or in quarters

   a shield divided quarterly

Etymology

Origin of quarterly

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; quarter, -ly

Example Sentences

Earnings season has also become a focal point, as quarterly results dominate headlines and investors tend to make trading decisions based on short-term news.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

With less pressure to meet quarterly targets, companies could focus more on the investment, innovation and prudent risk-taking that help drive long-term growth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Microsoft had the worst start to the year out of all of them, dropping 23% for its worst quarterly performance since 2008.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

He joined the Journal in 1996 as an assistant editorial features editor after spending five years as an editor at City Journal, the Manhattan Institute's quarterly of urban public policy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

When he opened his fund, in 2000, he released only his quarterly returns, and told his investors that he planned to tell them next to nothing about what he was up to.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• periodically