ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hourly

adj. freq.
A2 Elementary US //ˈaʊɹɫi// UK //ˈaʊəli// hourly

adj. happening or done every hour. You use this to describe things that repeat often throughout the day.

adj. occurring or performed once every hour. Often functions as a frequency marker for repetitive tasks or scheduled services.


SIMPLE

The bus runs hourly from the station.

CONTEXTUAL

The security guard makes hourly rounds to ensure all the doors in the warehouse are locked.

COMPLEX

The system is configured to generate hourly reports, allowing the management team to monitor fluctuations in website traffic with high precision throughout the business day.

Origin

From hour + -ly.

Usage

Frequency adverb — typically placed after the verb or at the end of the clause.

Pitfall

I hourly check my emailI check my email hourlyAdverbs of frequency that end in -ly, like hourly or daily, usually go at the end of the sentence rather than before the verb.

© 2026 English Reference