The English language, while rich and versatile, sometimes throws curveballs, especially when it comes to words describing time. One such word that frequently causes head-scratching and confusion is “biweekly.” If you’ve ever been unsure whether a “biweekly meeting” happens twice a week or every two weeks, you’re definitely not alone. Even dictionary editors acknowledge the ambiguity of this seemingly simple term.
The Double Definition of Biweekly: Twice a Week or Every Two Weeks?
A quick search in reputable dictionaries like Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, and the Cambridge Dictionary reveals the root of the problem: “biweekly” officially has two distinct, yet contradictory, definitions. According to these sources, “biweekly” can mean either:
- Occurring twice a week: This definition implies high frequency, essentially meaning something happens semiweekly.
- Occurring every two weeks: This definition suggests a less frequent occurrence, happening once every fortnight.
This dual meaning isn’t unique to “biweekly.” Words like “bimonthly” (twice a month or every two months) and “biannual” (twice a year or every two years) suffer from the same confusing ambiguity. Imagine scheduling a “bimonthly report” – does it mean two reports per month or one report every two months? The potential for miscommunication is significant.
Peter Sokolowski, a Merriam-Webster editor, aptly describes this linguistic quirk as “absolutely a problem of English.” He points out the inherent oddity of “bi,” a prefix meaning “two” or “twice,” becoming tangled in self-contradiction. This inherent ambiguity is why “biweekly,” along with its confusing cousins, are frequent lookups in dictionaries. People continuously seek clarity on these “bread and butter” words of the English language.
Why is “Biweekly” So Confusing? The Linguistic Perspective
The confusion surrounding “biweekly” isn’t a recent phenomenon. It’s a long-standing linguistic puzzle. As Laurel MacKenzie, an associate professor of Linguistics at NYU, explains, “Sometimes you really just have to paraphrase because it can be totally ambiguous without context.” The context is crucial, but even with context, misinterpretations can arise if individuals assume different definitions.
Michael Adams, an English professor at Indiana University, suggests a historical perspective. He points to the words “fortnight” (a period of 14 days) and “fortnightly” (occurring every 14 days) as potential solutions. Historically, “fortnightly” was more commonly used to express “every two weeks,” reducing the need for the ambiguous “biweekly.” Data from the Corpus of Historical American English supports this, showing “fortnight” and “fortnightly” were once more frequent than “biweekly.” While “biweekly” surpassed “semiweekly” in usage, “fortnightly” gradually declined after the 1950s, leaving the door open for “biweekly” and its inherent confusion to dominate.
Sokolowski from Merriam-Webster emphasizes that “language isn’t math.” It’s not always logical or perfectly structured. Attempting to enforce a single definition for “biweekly” or legislate language change is incredibly difficult, as MacKenzie notes. Language evolution is often driven by broader social factors, such as the push for more equitable phrasing, rather than top-down directives.
Navigating the Biweekly Minefield: How to Ensure Clarity
Given the firmly entrenched ambiguity of “biweekly,” the most practical approach is to prioritize clear communication. The Associated Press Stylebook, a guide for many news organizations, takes a definitive stance, recommending “biweekly” to mean “every other week” and “semiweekly” for “twice a week.” However, in everyday conversation and professional settings, relying on such style guidelines isn’t always practical.
Therefore, the best strategy is to avoid ambiguity altogether. As both Sokolowski and MacKenzie advise, providing explicit context or simply paraphrasing is key. Instead of saying “biweekly,” consider these clearer alternatives:
- For “every two weeks”: Use “every other week,” “once every two weeks,” or “fortnightly” (though less common in American English).
- For “twice a week”: Use “twice a week” or “semiweekly.”
By opting for these unambiguous phrases, you eliminate the guesswork and ensure everyone is on the same page, whether scheduling meetings, deadlines, or recurring events. While the word “biweekly” remains a linguistic curiosity and a source of occasional frustration, understanding its dual meaning and choosing clearer language can prevent misunderstandings and promote effective communication.
