What does seasonally mean?
Seasonally is an adverb meaning in a way that depends on, or occurs at different times of, the year. It is commonly used for recurring changes tied to seasons, as in “seasonally adjusted sales” or “a seasonally popular dish.” Unlike seasonal, which is an adjective describing something related to seasons, seasonally describes how something happens. The word can imply both deliberate variation and the predictable cycle of nature, such as flowers opening in spring or demand rising in winter. It is also useful in economic, agricultural, and environmental contexts, where measurements may rise or fall at particular times of year. In everyday use, it suggests that something happens repeatedly but not throughout the year. The term is neutral in both British and American English, although it can sound more technical than simple alternatives such as “in winter” or “at certain times of the year.”
adverbAt or according to the season; in a way that varies with the time of year.
- At, during, or according to a particular season; in a way that varies with the time of year.
"Sales figures are reviewed seasonally to account for recurring seasonal patterns."
"Extra staff are hired seasonally during the busiest months of the year."
"The flowers bloom seasonally, usually from early spring through early summer."
The word season ultimately comes from Latin words associated with sowing, so seasonally hides the agricultural idea of dividing the year by the work and growth of each season.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seasonally come from?
The English adverb was formed from the adjective seasonal by adding the suffix -ly. Season came into Middle English through Old French saison, ultimately from Latin sationes, associated with sowing or seed-time. Over time, the word broadened from an agricultural season to the divisions of the year, while related English forms such as seasoned and seasoning continued the same etymological family.
How seasonally is actually used
The term is neutral in British and American English. It can imply either predictable recurrence or variation tied to particular times of year and is especially common in economic, agricultural, environmental, and retail contexts.
Easily confused with seasonally
Seasonal is an adjective relating to a season, while seasonally is an adverb describing how something varies or occurs according to the time of year.
Seasonably means in a timely or appropriate manner, whereas seasonally refers specifically to variation or occurrence according to the season.