We diligently record the English lexicon in both its measured expansions and its wild proliferations, and any insistence by us that it favor the former over the latter is as whispers into a gale. Biweekly and bimonthly each have a pair of meanings that are unhelpfully at odds with one another. On the other hand, something that is bi-weekly would be something that happens on a specific day every other week, like every other Saturday.
Dictionary Entries Near biweekly
If you are taking biweekly classes or have a biweekly meeting, the odds are good that it is happening every other week. A biweekly publication or biweekly magazine is released every other week. One of the most popular ways to speak with more clarity when using this word is to switch the prefix bi with the prefix semi. This makes it much easier to know what the person is talking about. While biweekly can technically and lexically mean two different things, semi-weekly only has one singular meaning.
Other relevant words:
However, just like the word biweekly, a common misconception is that bimonthly is used to describe something that happens twice a month. While it may be technically less correct than the word semimonthly, it’s still something to keep your eyes out for. The word biweekly may sometimes have a dash between the prefix bi and the rest of the word. Whether someone is describing a bi-weekly paycheck or biweekly payment plans, it’s essential to know that both are accepted forms of the word. In most cases, the word biweekly is used to describe things that happen every two weeks.
Formal Settings
There are also many similar words to biweekly, like biennial for intervals happening every two years or bi-hourly for breaks happening every second hour. Every time a word with the prefix bi- in front of it comes up, make sure to look at the usage notes to understand and use the word in the most accurate and precise way. For example, the term bi-monthly is generally used to describe something that happens every two months.
- In most cases, the word biweekly is used to describe things that happen every two weeks.
- This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.
- Essentially, “bi-weekly” means happening every two weeks or twice a week.
- When it comes to identifying which definition of biweekly is being used, it’s essential to clarify what the person is saying instead of just assuming.
- Websites like Oxford Dictionaries or Merriam-Webster provide detailed explanations and usage examples for a wide range of words.
Usually she gets everything on credit, and the lodgers pay their respective shares biweekly. If you have an annual salary of $1 million, your biweekly paycheck will be about $38,000. Today, we’re covering the two meanings of biweekly, how to distinguish them, and ways to use them correctly. If you’re keen on enhancing your vocabulary or understanding the nuances of language, there are several online platforms and resources available. Websites like Oxford Dictionaries or Merriam-Webster provide detailed explanations and usage examples for a wide range of words.
Whether you’re scheduling meetings, setting reminders, or planning events, the frequency of these events is critical. But what if you wanted to convey the same idea without using the word “biweekly”? In this article, we’ll look at other ways to say “biweekly” and when it’s appropriate biweekly synonym to use them. According to the dictionary of the English language, the word biweekly (baɪˈwiːklɪ) is an adjective or adverb that is used to describe an event that occurs twice a week or every two weeks. Anything that happens in that time period can be identified as biweekly.
For those looking to practice and improve their language skills, platforms like Duolingo offer interactive lessons in multiple languages. I never know if ‘biweekly’ is supposed to mean “twice a week” or “occurring once every two weeks”. Different prefixes can be added to weekly to indicate a different period of time, such as in triweekly (every three weeks or three times a week) and semiweekly (twice a week). It can be used this way as an adjective, as in a biweekly meeting, or an adverb, as in We plan to meet biweekly.
It’s one of those words where the context is one of the most essential parts of the word’s use. Some things — like eating, sleeping, and doing work — are daily necessities for life. Some weekly chores might include getting gas for a car, posting on social media, or doing laundry. These regular events are a large part of what makes up our lives.
For example, if you use the word semiweekly, you can be referring to something that happens every Monday and every Thursday. If you are in the UK and trying to schedule a semiweekly video call with your partners in Canada and New York, that meeting will happen twice a week. In business meetings or official documents, “fortnightly” or “every other week” might be more appropriate.
That’s why to word biweekly is so essential — it details a regular event that may not happen on the same periodic basis as many other kinds of events. Essentially, “bi-weekly” means happening every two weeks or twice a week. But if you want to diversify your vocabulary or avoid potential misunderstandings, there are alternative phrases you can use. Biweekly is commonly used to mean both “twice a week” and “every two weeks.” To avoid confusion, it’s a good idea to clarify exactly which one you mean. For, as anyone who pays attention to our work surely recognizes, we are at the mercy of the language.
