Definition of hourly

The word "hourly" originated in the 14th century from the Old English words "hour" meaning "time" and the suffix "-ly" which forms an adverb indicating frequency or manner. Initially, "hourly" meant "at each hour" or "toward the hour", referring to the time of day. Over time, the meaning expanded to describe actions or events that occur at regular intervals of one hour. In the 17th century, "hourly" began to be used to describe payments or wages given at regular hourly intervals, such as hourly wages or hourly rates. This usage is thought to have arisen from the practice of dividing the day into hourly periods for work or labor. Today, "hourly" is commonly used to describe not just time intervals but also schedules, rates, or frequencies related to one hour.