English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

hourly

OW-uh-lee

Hourly (adj) means happening once every hour. Example: “The buses run on an hourly schedule.”

adj
1
Happening once every hour.
"The buses run on an hourly schedule."
2
Paid by the hour rather than salaried.
"Most of the warehouse staff are hourly workers."
adv
1
Once every hour; at hourly intervals.
"The nurse checked his vitals hourly through the night."

How to use hourly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOccurring, or paid, every hour.

Common pairings
hourly rate hourly wage hourly update

Word forms

hourlies plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “hourly” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The buses run on an _____ schedule.

Etymology

From hour + -ly.

per hour by the hour every hour

Rhymes for hourly

See all rhymes for hourly →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hourly” mean?

The word “hourly” means happening once every hour. In plain terms, occurring, or paid, every hour.

How do you pronounce “hourly”?

“Hourly” is pronounced OW-uh-lee (/ˈaʊ̯ɚli/ in IPA).

How do you use “hourly” in a sentence?

Here is “hourly” used in a sentence: “The buses run on an hourly schedule.”

What part of speech is “hourly”?

Depending on how it is used, “hourly” can be an adjective and an adverb.

Is “hourly” a common word?

“Hourly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “hourly” have?

“Hourly” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening once every hour.

What is the difference between hourly and salaried pay?

Hourly pay means an employee is paid a set rate for each hour worked, so their total pay varies with hours worked, while salaried pay means a fixed amount is paid regardless of the exact hours worked.

What does hourly mean when describing a bus or train schedule?

An hourly bus or train service runs once every hour, so passengers can expect a departure at the same point in each hour rather than at irregular intervals.

Is hourly used as both an adjective and an adverb?

Yes. As an adjective it describes something happening every hour or paid by the hour, as in 'an hourly wage,' while as an adverb it describes how often something happens, as in 'buses run hourly.'

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial