Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Occurring every two months: Describes something that happens once every two months or every other month.
   • Occurring twice a month: Describes something that happens two times within a single month. (Note: This meaning is identical to "semimonthly" and can be ambiguous.)

2. Adverb:

   • Every two months: Indicates that an action or event happens once in a two-month period.
   • Twice a month: Indicates that an action or event happens two times within a single month. (Note: This meaning is identical to "semimonthly" and can be ambiguous.)

3. Noun:

   • A periodical published on a bimonthly schedule: A magazine, journal, or newsletter that is published either every two months or twice a month.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The club holds bimonthly meetings. (This could mean meetings every two months OR twice a month. Context is needed.)
  • She receives a bimonthly newsletter from the association. (This could mean a newsletter issued every two months OR twice a month.)

• Adverb:

  • The journal is published bimonthly. (This could mean published every two months OR twice a month.)
  • We review the budget bimonthly. (This could mean a review every two months OR twice a month.)

• Noun:

  • I subscribe to a literary bimonthly. (I subscribe to a magazine published on a bimonthly schedule.)

Advanced Usage and Clarification

• Ambiguity Warning: The word "bimonthly" has two contradictory standard meanings. This often causes confusion. In precise communication, it is better to use clearer terms.
• To avoid ambiguity:
  • Use "semimonthly" or "twice a month" for the "two times per month" meaning.
  • Use "every two months", "every other month", or "bimestrially" (less common) for the "once every two months" meaning.
• Context is Key: The intended meaning is usually determined by the context of the sentence or the known schedule of the item discussed.

Variants and Related Words

• Semimonthly (adj/adv): Occurring or appearing twice a month. This is the unambiguous term for the "twice a month" meaning.
  • Semimonthly payroll.
• Bimestrial (adj): Relating to a two-month period; occurring every two months. (A more formal, less common synonym).
• Biweekly: Has the same dual ambiguity, meaning either "every two weeks" or "twice a week."

Synonyms

• For "every two months": Every other month, bimestrially, once every two months.
• For "twice a month": Semimonthly, twice monthly, fortnightly (primarily British English, meaning every two weeks, which approximates twice a month).

Notes on Usage

• Due to its inherent ambiguity, many style guides recommend avoiding "bimonthly" and "biweekly" in formal or business writing where schedule clarity is essential. Always specify "twice a month" or "every two months" instead.
• In the context of publications (the noun form), the frequency (e.g., 6 issues/year vs. 24 issues/year) clarifies the intended meaning.

Adjective

1. occurring every two months
   • bimonthly visits
2. occurring twice a month
   • a semimonthly publication

Adverb

1. every two months
   • the bill was payable bimonthly
2. twice a month
   • salaries are paid semimonthly

Noun

1. a periodical that is published twice a month or every two months (either 24 or 6 issues per year)