What does monthly mean?
Monthly is an adjective and adverb describing something that happens or is done once every month. It is commonly used for recurring events, payments, reports, meetings, subscriptions, and publications: “The rent is payable monthly,” for example, means that it is paid once a month. When used as a noun, monthly usually means a magazine, newsletter, or journal published on a monthly basis. The word is straightforward and formal enough for business, news, and institutional contexts, while remaining natural in everyday conversation. It derives from month, the period of time traditionally associated with the Moon, combined with the suffix -ly, which forms adjectives and adverbs. A useful alternative when the frequency needs emphasis is “once a month,” which can sound more explicit in speech.
Happening or occurring once a month; relating to a month.
"The library offers a monthly magazine subscription."
Common with payments, reports, meetings, publications, and recurring activities.
Once a month; at intervals of a month.
"The team checks the figures monthly."
The phrase “once a month” can be used when greater explicitness is useful.
A publication that is issued once a month.
"She bought an architecture monthly at the bookshop."
Usually refers to a magazine, journal, or newsletter.
The plural is used for different monthly publications or issues viewed as a class.
"The archive contains several literary monthlies from the 1990s."
The word “monthly” keeps a straightforward rhythm: its first syllable is stressed, while the final -ly sounds like a soft, swift finish.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monthly come from?
Monthly comes from the Old English word mōnath, meaning a lunar month, together with the productive suffix -ly. The form developed through the Middle English period and is used both adjectivally and adverbially. The related modern word month continues the same Old English root, which itself reflects the Moon and the monthly cycle.
How monthly is actually used
Monthly is widely used in formal and informal contexts. It describes recurring events, regular payments, publications, reports, and activities. As a noun, it is most commonly used for a magazine, journal, or newsletter.
Easily confused with monthly
Monthly means occurring once a month, whereas annual means occurring once a year.