monthly
Americanadjective
noun
plural
monthlies-
a periodical published once a month.
-
Informal. Sometimes monthlies. a menstrual period.
adverb
adjective
-
occurring, done, appearing, payable, etc, once every month
-
lasting or valid for a month
a monthly subscription
adverb
noun
-
a book, periodical, magazine, etc, published once a month
-
informal a menstrual period
Other Word Forms
- half-monthly adjective
Etymology
Origin of monthly
Explanation
Anything monthly happens once a month. A monthly paycheck will enable you to pay your monthly rent. Whew! Monthly works well as both an adjective and an adverb, describing anything that occurs every month. You might get a monthly paycheck or make monthly phone calls to your grandmother. Or a freelance writer might write a couple of articles monthly and travel monthly to a nearby amusement park. A monthly can also be a magazine that's published once a month.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Because you’re borrowing money against the equity in your house, you don’t have monthly loan payments.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026
The cost of crude energy products was up 41.1% in March, the largest monthly gain since May 2020.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
With monthly updating of its weightings—the relative importance of different sectors—the index also better reflects shifts in consumer behavior, such as when people switch from pricier goods to lower-cost alternatives.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
The monthly statistics will show the length of waiting lists as well as how emergency care and cancer services are also failing to meet key performance measures.
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026
In Holland, and probably everywhere else in Europe, the Germans have issued us monthly ration cards with coupons for food, clothing, kerosene, rubber.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
