WordGarden.iobimonthly
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /baɪˈmənθli/
Meanings
Adjective
happening every two months
happening twice a month
Noun
a publication issued every two months or twice a month
Beyond the definition
Ah, bimonthly—a little troublemaker of a word! It is notorious for having two distinct meanings that can lead to missed deadlines or very confused calendars. Most commonly, it means "occurring every two months" (six times a year). Think of a literary magazine that arrives in your mailbox every other month.
However, many people also use bimonthly to mean "twice a month." This is where the confusion kicks in! Because the prefix "bi-" can mean either "every two" or "twice," the word ends up pulling double duty. To avoid misunderstandings in business or publishing, it is often better to be specific. If you mean twice a month, "semi-monthly" or "twice per month" is your best friend. If you mean every two months, just say "every other month." It's a linguistic quirk that demands a little extra clarity!
The word bimonthly is a classic example of English ambiguity. Its dual nature stems from the prefix "bi-," which can be interpreted as "every two" (every two months) or "twice" (twice a month). This makes it a tricky word to use without providing additional context.
Think of it like this: if your boss asks for a bimonthly update, do they want it twice each month or once every two months? In the professional world, a bimonthly publication usually refers to something released six times a year. In common conversation, it is often used the other way around—to mean twice a month—so many writers prefer clearer alternatives to avoid ambiguity.
The confusion has led many writers and organizations to prefer clearer alternatives to avoid a headache. For example, instead of saying "The committee meets bimonthly," one might say "The committee meets on the first and third Monday of every month" or "The committee meets every two months." By choosing more precise language, you ensure that your audience isn't left guessing. It is a perfect example of how a single prefix can turn a simple schedule into a puzzling linguistic riddle.
Examples
- 1
Publication schedule
The journal comes out bimonthly, so subscribers get six issues a year.
- 2
Client meetings
We have a bimonthly check-in with our clients to review progress.
- Caution
bimonthly can be unclear because it can mean either every two months or twice a month
- 3
Pay schedule
Staff are paid bimonthly, on the 1st and the 15th.
- 4
Magazine noun
She writes for a bimonthly aimed at young parents.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- bimonthlynounadjectiveadverb
Forms
- bimonthliespluralnounadjectiveadverb