February
FEHB-ruu-uh-ree
February (noun) means the second month of the year, coming between January and March, and the shortest month, with an extra day added in leap years. Example: “February only has 28 days, except in leap years when it has 29.”
noun
1
The second month of the year, coming between January and March, and the shortest month, with an extra day added in leap years.
"February only has 28 days, except in leap years when it has 29."
"We're planning a ski trip for February."
How to use February
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe shortest month of the year, sitting between January and March.
Common mistake
Often mis-pronounced and misspelled as "Febuary" — remember the first "r" even though many people don't say it clearly.
Common pairings
in February
a leap-year February
early February
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Word forms
- Plural
- Februaries, Februarys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ only has 28 days, except in leap years when it has 29.
Etymology
From Latin Februarius, named after Februa, an ancient Roman festival of purification held around the middle of the month.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for February
See all rhymes for February →Frequently asked questions
What does “February” mean?
The word “February” means the second month of the year, coming between January and March, and the shortest month, with an extra day added in leap years. In plain terms, the shortest month of the year, sitting between January and March.
How do you pronounce “February”?
“February” is pronounced FEHB-ruu-uh-ree (/ˈfɛb.ɹuˌɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “February” in a sentence?
Here is “February” used in a sentence: “February only has 28 days, except in leap years when it has 29.”
What part of speech is “February”?
“February” is a noun.
Where does the word “February” come from?
The word “February” comes from Latin. From Latin Februarius, named after Februa, an ancient Roman festival of purification held around the middle of the month.
Is “February” a common word?
“February” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
Why is February the shortest month?
The reason is historical, rooted in the ancient Roman calendar. When the months were arranged and later reformed, the days were shared out so that most had 30 or 31, and February was left with 28. That arrangement carried through into the modern calendar we still use today.
How many days are in February?
February normally has 28 days, making it the shortest month of the year. In a leap year, which comes roughly every four years, an extra day is added on 29 February, giving it 29 days. That leap day keeps the calendar aligned with the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Why does February get an extra day in a leap year?
A year is actually about 365 and a quarter days long, so the calendar drifts slightly each year. Adding 29 February roughly every four years corrects this. To stay precise, century years are leap years only when divisible by 400, which is why 2000 was a leap year but 1900 was not.
How do you pronounce February?
The traditional pronunciation keeps both r sounds: 'FEB-roo-air-ee.' Many people say 'FEB-yoo-air-ee' instead, dropping the first r, and this is now widely accepted. Either way, the spelling always keeps the first r, so it is easy to misspell as 'Febuary' by mistake.
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