Many people are confused about the true meaning of “biweekly,” questioning whether it means twice a week or every two weeks.
The word “biweekly” is a common term, but many people are unsure of its exact meaning.
People have been raising questions about what this term really means, and the debate has sparked interest online.
Technically, the term can refer to either of these definitions.
What does “Biweekly” mean?
According to the dictionary, “biweekly” means “occurring every two weeks” or “happening twice a week.”
The confusion arises from the fact that “bi-” can mean either “two” or “every two.”
“Biweekly and bimonthly each has a pair of meanings that are unhelpfully at odds with one another,” Merriam-Webster confirms.
In terms of frequency, this term is unclear.
It can mean either twice a week or once every two weeks. This double meaning confuses me.
Many people assume the term automatically means “twice a week,” but this is not always the case.
The meaning of “Biweekly” depends on the context.
For example, a “biweekly meeting” typically refers to a meeting that occurs every two weeks, not twice per week.
Conversely, a “biweekly paycheck” would likely mean the paycheck is issued twice per week, not every two weeks.
The frequency of paychecks is usually clear from the context.
The same ambiguity applies to other “bi-” words like “bimonthly” and “biannual.”
These can mean either twice per month/year or every two months/years.
This dual definition inevitably leads to confusion.
To avoid misunderstandings, it’s best to use more precise language.
Instead of “biweekly,” one could say “every two weeks” or “twice a week.”
Similarly, “bimonthly” could be replaced with “every two months” or “twice a month.” This removes the ambiguity.
Some organizations and publications have even taken steps to standardize the usage of these terms.
For example, the American Psychological Association’s style guide suggests not using “biweekly” and “bimonthly.”
They recommend using clearer wording instead.
Social media reactions
On social media, online users shared their opinions after learning the true meaning of “Biweekly”.
In Australian English “bi-weekly” is almost never used, one user said.
If someone uses “bi-weekly” you can just about guarantee the person they are talking to will immediately ask “Do you mean fortnightly or twice a week?” The second user commented.
Sadly, the term means both “twice per week” and “once every other week.”
Which meaning you mean depends entirely on context and understanding between the people using it, the third user said.