Yearly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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yearly

[หˆjษชrli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in relation to time

Happening or done once every year

Synonyms

annually, every year, once a year.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
yearly

Used in both formal and informal settings to describe something that happens once every year. Commonly used in contexts involving schedules, events, and financial reports.

  • We have a yearly company retreat in June.
  • The yearly budget report is due next month.
annually

Typically used in more formal or official settings, such as legal documents, formal reports, or official statements involving periods of time.

  • The company publishes its financial statements annually.
  • The awards ceremony is held annually in December.
every year

Commonly used in everyday, conversational English to indicate that something happens each year. It's straightforward and easy to understand.

  • We visit our grandparents every year during the summer.
  • I get a flu shot every year.
once a year

Also used in everyday conversation, this phrase emphasizes the action or event happening only one time in a year.

  • She only goes to the dentist once a year.
  • We have a family reunion once a year.

Examples of usage

  • The report is issued yearly.
  • The festival is held yearly in the spring.
Context #2 | Adjective

in relation to time

Relating to a year or occurring once a year

Synonyms

annual, year-end.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
yearly

This is a duplicate of the first word in the list and serves the same purpose. If there is no error, disregard this entry or consider combining it with the first instance.

  • We take a yearly vacation to the mountains.
  • The garden club has a yearly plant sale.
annual

This word is suitable for formal contexts and official documents to describe something that happens once every year.

  • The company releases its annual report in January.
  • The annual meeting of shareholders will be held next month.
year-end

Use this term to describe events, reviews, or reports that occur at the end of the year, often in a business or financial context.

  • The year-end party is scheduled for December 31st.
  • Our year-end performance review will take place in early January.

Examples of usage

  • She set herself yearly goals.
  • The yearly rainfall average is 30 inches.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Practices

  • Many cultures celebrate New Year's Day as a yearly event, marking the end of one year and the beginning of another.
  • In the United States, Thanksgiving is a yearly holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, fostering family gatherings.
  • In Japan, the yearly tradition of 'Hinamatsuri' involves displaying ornamental dolls and is celebrated on March 3rd.

Science

  • In astronomy, the yearly orbit of Earth around the Sun is what defines a calendar year, taking approximately 365.25 days.
  • Many animals exhibit yearly migration patterns based on seasonal changes, such as birds flying south for the winter.
  • Certain plants bloom on a yearly cycle, meaning they flower annually at the same time, influenced by environmental factors.

Finance

  • In personal finance, having a yearly budget helps individuals plan their spending and saving over the course of the year.
  • Companies often operate on a fiscal year, which can differ from the calendar year, affecting financial reporting.
  • Investment strategies may include yearly reviews to assess growth and adapt to changing markets.

Literature

  • Yearly anthologies are published in literature, collecting the best stories, poems, and essays from the past year.
  • Authors often use a yearly cycle to symbolize change and growth in character development within their plots.
  • Poets frequently write works that reflect on the passage of time, highlighting the significance of yearly human experiences.

Origin of 'yearly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'yearly' originates from Old English 'geฤra', which means 'of the year'.
  • Its components include 'year', a time period of 365 days (or 366 in a leap year), and the suffix '-ly', used to form adverbs.
  • The term has been in use since the 14th century, signifying regular annual occurrences.

The word 'yearly' originated from the Middle English word 'yerly', which is derived from the Old English word 'gearlic', meaning 'annual'. The term has been used in the English language for centuries to describe events or occurrences that happen once a year.


See also: year, yearbook, yearn, yearned, yearning, years.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,672, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.