bimonthly
Bimonthly (adjective) means happening once every two months. Example: “The committee holds bimonthly meetings, in January, March and May.”
How to use bimonthly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEvery two months — or twice a month, which is why it is best to say which you mean.
Neutral, but avoid it in contracts, invoices and schedules. Write 'every two months' or 'twice a month' instead.
The one-word form bimonthly is standard; bi monthly as two words is a misspelling and bi-monthly with a hyphen is a permitted variant.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The committee holds _____ meetings, in January, March and May.
Etymology
From the Latin prefix bi- 'two' plus monthly. The prefix can mean either 'every two' or 'twice', which is the source of the ambiguity.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bimonthly
See all rhymes for bimonthly →Frequently asked questions
Does bimonthly mean twice a month or every two months?
Both meanings are in genuine use and dictionaries record both, so the word cannot be relied on. Style guides recommend replacing it with 'every two months' or 'twice a month' whenever the difference matters, such as in a payment schedule.
What is the difference between bimonthly and semi-monthly?
Semi-monthly is unambiguous: it means twice a month. Bimonthly may mean twice a month or once every two months. If you want the twice-a-month meaning, semi-monthly is the safer word.
What is the difference between biannual and biennial?
Biannual means twice a year, and biennial means once every two years. Biennial is the reliable one; biannual is sometimes misused for the two-year sense, so spell it out if precision matters.
What is the meaning of bimonthly?
"bimonthly" (adjective) means happening once every two months.