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

quarterlies plural

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• quarterlies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of quarterly

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

Explanation

Something that happens quarterly occurs four times per year, like your family's quarterly visit to your grandparents' house in Florida. Magazines that are published every three months come out quarterly — in fact, they're commonly referred to as quarterlies. For businesses, many things happen on a quarterly schedule, from the quarterly taxes they pay to quarterly reports sent to shareholders. Think of a year as consisting of four quarters; anything occurring once per quarter happens quarterly. The Latin root, quartus, means "the fourth."

Example Sentences

The quarterly deluge of corporate earnings reports will accelerate next week.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 10, 2026

“People should not have to accept a less reliable service in order to help AT&T meet its quarterly revenue goals,” Johnston said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026

The airline’s quarterly profit fell to $1.6 billion from $2.13 billion a year earlier as cost increases, led by fuel, outpaced revenue gains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

Fast Retailing 9983 -2.22%decrease; down pointing triangle raised its annual earnings forecasts after reporting sharply higher quarterly profit on stronger sales across various regions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

“Savannah and I will set up quarterly tax payments and establish a trust to protect your savings and start your college account. And, of course, a retirement plan.”

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• periodically