adjective

biennial

by-EN-ee-uhl

Biennial (adjective) means happening once every two years. Example: “The biennial conference returns to Lisbon next spring.”

adjective

Happening once every two years.

"The biennial conference returns to Lisbon next spring."

"Funding is reviewed on a biennial basis."

Of a plant, taking two growing seasons to complete its life cycle, producing leaves in the first year and flowers and seed in the second.

"Foxgloves are biennial, so do not expect flowers until the second summer."

noun

A plant that lives for two years, or a large art exhibition held every two years.

"Sow your biennials in early summer for flowers next year."

"She showed three paintings at the Venice biennial."

How to Use Biennial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that happens every two years.

When to use it

Neutral. The plant sense is standard gardening vocabulary.

Memory tip

Because biennial and biannual are so easily confused, many writers avoid both and simply say every two years or twice a year.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

biannual → semi-annual perennial → annual →

Common pairings

biennial review biennial report biennial exhibition

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ conference returns to Lisbon next spring.

Etymology

From Latin biennium, a period of two years, from bi- meaning two and annus meaning year.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

two-yearly

Antonyms

annual biannual

Related Words

annual yearly yearbook biannual

Rhymes for biennial

dial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial menial

See all rhymes for biennial →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between biennial and biannual?

Biennial means once every two years, while biannual means twice within one year. The two are confused so often that careful writers replace them with the plain phrases every two years and twice a year.

What is the difference between biennial, annual and perennial plants?

An annual germinates, flowers, seeds and dies within a single year. A biennial spreads that cycle over two years, growing leaves in the first and flowering in the second. A perennial lives on for several years, flowering again each season.

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