Bimonthly: meaning, definitions and examples
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bimonthly
[ baɪˈmʌnθli ]
frequency of occurrence
Bimonthly means occurring every two months. It can also refer to something that happens twice a month, although this usage is less common. The term can cause confusion and thus it’s important to clarify the intended meaning.
Synonyms
bi-monthly, every two months, twice monthly.
Examples of usage
- The magazine is published bimonthly.
- They hold bimonthly meetings to discuss progress.
- I receive my salary on a bimonthly basis.
frequency of occurrence
As an adverb, bimonthly describes the frequency of an action, indicating that it occurs either once every two months or two times a month. This dual meaning is often the source of confusion.
Synonyms
bi-monthly, every two months, twice monthly.
Examples of usage
- The committee meets bimonthly.
- They bill bimonthly for services rendered.
- Our newsletter is sent out bimonthly.
Translations
Translations of the word "bimonthly" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bimestral
🇮🇳 द्वैमासिक
🇩🇪 zweimonatlich
🇮🇩 bimonthly
🇺🇦 двомісячний
🇵🇱 dwumiesięczny
🇯🇵 隔月の
🇫🇷 bimestriel
🇪🇸 bimensual
🇹🇷 iki ayda bir
🇰🇷 격월의
🇸🇦 كل شهرين
🇨🇿 dvouměsíční
🇸🇰 dvojmesačný
🇨🇳 双月的
🇸🇮 dvojemesečni
🇮🇸 tví mánuðir
🇰🇿 екі айлық
🇬🇪 ორთულადი
🇦🇿 iki aylıq
🇲🇽 bimestral
Etymology
The term bimonthly is derived from the prefix 'bi-', which comes from Latin, meaning 'two' or 'twice', and the word 'monthly', which is related to the Latin 'mensis' meaning 'month'. The confusion over its meaning arises from its dual interpretation – it can denote either two times within a month or once every two months. The ambiguity can cause significant misunderstandings, particularly in planning and scheduling contexts. Despite its ambiguity, bimonthly has been in use since the early 20th century, primarily in publishing and business to describe schedules. In recent years, clarity of communication has prompted many to either specify the exact frequency or avoid the term altogether in favor of clearer alternatives.