biweekly

Part of Speech

Adjective, Adverb

Pronunciation

/ˌbaɪˈwiːk.li/

Definitions

• Adjective: Happening every two weeks or twice a week.
• Adverb: Occurring at intervals of two weeks or twice a week.

Usage Examples

• The team meets biweekly to discuss project progress.
• The magazine is published biweekly for its subscribers.

Etymology

Originating from the prefix "bi-" meaning "two" or "twice," combined with "weekly," referring to a week. The term has been in usage since the 19th century.

Synonyms

• Fortnightly
• Twice a week
• Semimonthly

Antonyms

• Daily
• Monthly
• Annually

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /ˌbaɪˈwiːk.li/
• British English: /ˌbaɪˈwɪk.li/

Historical Usage

The word "biweekly" became more common in the 20th century, especially in professional and organizational contexts.

Cultural Nuances

In the United States, "biweekly" is often used in corporate and payroll contexts, while in the UK, "fortnightly" is a more commonly understood term for every two weeks.

More Information

The term "biweekly" is sometimes ambiguous because it can mean both "twice a week" and "every two weeks." Context is often needed to clarify its intended use.