Fortnightly: meaning, definitions and examples
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fortnightly
[ ˈfɔːtˌnaɪtli ]
frequency
Happening every two weeks or twice a month.
Synonyms
biweekly, every two weeks.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
fortnightly |
Used mainly in British English to describe something happening every two weeks.
|
biweekly |
This can be used in both British and American English to describe something happening every two weeks, but can sometimes be confusing as it can also mean twice a week. Clarification may be needed based on the context.
|
every two weeks |
This is the most straightforward and unambiguous way to describe something occurring every 14 days. Suitable for any context where clarity is important.
|
Examples of usage
- It is a fortnightly meeting.
- She receives her salary fortnightly.
- They publish a fortnightly magazine.
schedule
Occurring or appearing once every two weeks.
Synonyms
biweekly, every two weeks.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
fortnightly |
This term is often used in British English to describe something that occurs every two weeks. It can be used in formal or casual contexts.
|
biweekly |
This word can be confusing because it might mean either twice a week or every two weeks. However, in many English-speaking countries, it's often understood to mean every two weeks. Clarification is usually required to avoid misunderstanding.
|
every two weeks |
This phrase is very clear and unambiguous, making it suitable for any context where you want to specify an event occurring every two weeks. It's common in both formal and informal settings.
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Examples of usage
- We have a fortnightly cleaning schedule.
- The magazine is published on a fortnightly basis.
Translations
Translations of the word "fortnightly" in other languages:
🇵🇹 quinzenal
🇮🇳 पाक्षिक
🇩🇪 zweiwöchentlich
🇮🇩 dua mingguan
🇺🇦 двотижневий
🇵🇱 dwutygodniowy
🇯🇵 隔週 (かくしゅう)
🇫🇷 bimensuel
🇪🇸 quincenal
🇹🇷 iki haftada bir
🇰🇷 격주
🇸🇦 نصف شهري
🇨🇿 dvoutýdenní
🇸🇰 dvojtýždenný
🇨🇳 每两周一次
🇸🇮 dvotedenski
🇮🇸 tvikvikulega
🇰🇿 екі апта сайын
🇬🇪 ორ კვირაში ერთხელ
🇦🇿 iki həftədə bir
🇲🇽 quincenal
Etymology
The word 'fortnightly' originated from the Old English word 'feowertiene niht', which means 'fourteen nights'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to refer to events or occurrences happening every two weeks. The term became popular in the 19th century and is commonly used in various contexts to describe biweekly schedules or publications.
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #21,951, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
- ...
- 21948 transect
- 21949 reactivation
- 21950 emetic
- 21951 fortnightly
- 21952 tractable
- 21953 paternalistic
- 21954 mercilessly
- ...