Biweekly is the more commonly used term, but both biweekly and bi-weekly are acceptable spellings in English. The confusion arises because the prefix “bi-” means “two,” and there are two different interpretations of the term “biweekly.”
In one interpretation, “biweekly” means occurring every two weeks. Under this definition, if an event happened on Monday, it would happen again two weeks later on the same day. For example, if you have a biweekly meeting at work, it would take place on the same day every two weeks. This can also be referred to as “fortnightly.” For instance, if you receive a biweekly paycheck, you would get paid every two weeks on the same day. Many people use “biweekly” in this sense to refer to recurring events that happen twice a month.
On the other hand, the term “biweekly” can also mean occurring twice a week. Under this definition, if an event happened on Monday, it would happen again on a different day of the week, say Thursday, and then repeat the following week on Monday and Thursday. For example, if you have a biweekly physical therapy session, you would have two sessions per week. In this sense, “biweekly” is synonymous with “semiweekly.” It is worth mentioning that this usage is less common and can lead to confusion.
To make matters even more confusing, some style guides and dictionaries favor one interpretation over the other. For instance, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary lists the first definition as “occurring every two weeks” and the second definition as “occurring twice a week.” Therefore, it is important to consult the specific guidelines or preferences of your organization or publication when using this term.
To summarize, both “biweekly” and “bi-weekly” are acceptable spellings, but “biweekly” is more commonly used. The term can mean occurring every two weeks or twice a week, depending on the context. It is essential to clarify and specify the intended meaning to avoid any ambiguity.
Examples:
1. I have a biweekly staff meeting, which means we meet every other Monday.
2. The gym offers biweekly yoga classes, so you can attend two sessions each week.
3. John receives a biweekly paycheck, meaning he is paid every two weeks.
4. The newsletter is published biweekly, so you can expect to receive it every other Friday.
5. Our team has biweekly progress meetings, which occur every second Tuesday.
6. The biweekly cleaning service comes on Thursdays and Mondays, giving the office a thorough clean twice a week.
In conclusion, both “biweekly” and “bi-weekly” are acceptable spellings, but the context and intended meaning should be specified. Whether it means occurring every two weeks or twice a week, the key is to communicate clearly to avoid any confusion.