Semi-weekly dates to 1791 (the prefix semi- meaning ‘half’) and biweekly to 1865 (the prefix bi- meaning ‘two’). 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. Biweekly and bimonthly each have a pair of meanings that are unhelpfully at odds with one another. Although not as commonly used, biweekly may also refer to a magazine or newspaper that publishes once every two weeks.
Is ‘Biweekly’ Usage Common in Informal Conversations?
In both cases, it’s commonly understood to mean twice monthly or once every other week, usually taking place on the same day of the week. Biannual is more straightforward, as it’s only used to mean twice a year. In this case, the prefix bi- us is used to mean “occurring twice.” Use the word biennial to describe events occurring once every two years. We’ll dive deeper into the meaning of biweekly, why it sometimes confuses people, provide synonyms to avoid uncertainty, and discuss other time-related words that use the bi- prefix. Biweekly can mean twice a week or once every two weeks, but most people use it to refer to the latter. There are times, however, when a biweekly meeting on your work schedule may occur twice a week.
Grammar & Usage
It specifically refers to occurrences either twice a week or once every two weeks, depending on biweekly meaning the context in which it is used. 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. 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. Two times per week or one time every two weeks are both acceptable definitions of “biweekly,” but most individuals use the latter.
In most cases, the word biweekly is used to describe things that happen every two weeks. For example, if you have a biweekly paycheck, that means you receive paychecks roughly every two weeks. If you are a borrower making biweekly payments to a lender, that means you are making payments approximately every fourteen days. This is a widespread pace for many different lenders and organizations when dealing with large numbers of consistent recurring payments. 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.
- In professional settings, ‘biweekly’ is often used to describe meeting schedules or pay frequencies.
- Biweekly is most commonly used to refer to the cadence of meetings or paychecks.
- For biweekly, this is a valid synonym, but Americans who speak English don’t often use it.
- But the thing that makes this word so simultaneously exciting and confusing is that it actually has two generally accepted meanings.
- This payment method is beneficial for budgeting, as it provides consistent and predictable income.
In professional settings, ‘biweekly’ is often used to describe meeting schedules or pay frequencies. For example, biweekly pay means receiving paychecks once every two weeks. It is important to clarify the intended meaning when using the term. Biweekly is most often used in professional settings to describe the frequency of meetings or how often workers are paid.
- For clear communication, always define the intended frequency.
- While it may be technically less correct than the word semimonthly, it’s still something to keep your eyes out for.
- Some things — like eating, sleeping, and doing work — are daily necessities for life.
Is biweekly the same as fortnightly?
Biweekly has its roots in the Latin word ‘bis,’ meaning ‘twice.’ This prefix ‘bi-‘ combines with ‘weekly’ to form ‘biweekly.’ The term has been in use since the 15th century. 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. 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. I never know if ‘biweekly’ is supposed to mean “twice a week” or “occurring once every two weeks”. This means that paychecks will be issued once every two weeks, usually on the same day.
Understanding these nuances guarantees clear communication, whether referring to publishing schedules, payroll, or other recurring events. 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, if you use the word semiweekly, you can be referring to something that happens every Monday and every Thursday.
These prefixes can lead to misunderstandings if the context is not clear. Workplace schedules, publication dates, and event planning can all be affected by these ambiguities. Time-related prefixes like ‘bimonthly,’ ‘biannual,’ and ‘biennial’ often create confusion. For instance, ‘bimonthly’ can mean either twice a month or once every two months. Similarly, ‘biannual’ means twice a year, while ‘biennial’ means once every two years. Publication schedules play an essential role in determining the frequency and timing of content releases.
What Information Should a Pay Stub Contain?
But what about when you’re at the mercy of English as it’s wielded by others? Semiweekly is another word for biweekly; it simply means “twice per week.” Semi- is a prefix that denotes partially or half. Many people wonder about the difference between ‘biweekly’ and ‘fortnight.’ ‘Biweekly’ can mean either twice a week or once every two weeks, which often leads to confusion.
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. If a publication is published biweekly, it usually means it comes out every two weeks. But newspapers that are called biweeklies are most commonly published twice a week—such as on every Monday and Thursday. Biweekly is most commonly used to refer to the cadence of meetings or paychecks.
Wordplay
The term “biweekly” is mainly employed in professional contexts to refer to the meetings’ frequency or the frequency of employee payments. Unless otherwise noted, you and your supervisor will meet once in two weeks for a biweekly meeting. In contrast, the semiweekly meeting takes place twice per week. Unravel the dual meanings of “biweekly” with examples and tips for clear communication, whether it means twice a week or every two weeks. Discover the correct usage and alternatives to avoid confusion in scheduling and terminology.
Another synonym for biweekly is semiweekly, which means “twice a week.” The prefix semi- means half or partially. A newspaper or magazine that prints once every 2 weeks can also be referred to as biweekly, however, this usage is less prevalent. It’s also different from semi-monthly pay, where employees are paid twice a month, resulting in 24 paychecks per year.
To avoid confusion, it’s better to say “twice a month” or “once every two months” instead of using “bimonthly.” Because “bimonthly” can mean either twice a month or once every two months, it’s a good idea to be clear when using the term. If you mean twice a month, it’s often better to say “twice a month” to avoid confusion. Similarly, if you mean once every two months, say that instead.
Understanding these terms can help avoid miscommunication in planning schedules and events. Using ‘fortnight’ can be more specific and eliminate ambiguity. These examples illustrate how ‘biweekly’ can describe various schedules and routines. To avoid confusion, it is important to specify the exact intervals. Using terms like ‘every two weeks’ or ‘twice a month’ can provide clarity and make sure that everyone is on the same page.
For clear communication, always define the intended frequency. In contrast, ‘fortnight’ is a term used primarily in British English and always means a period of two weeks. Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing.
