fortnight
/'fɔ:tnait/
Definition
Noun: A period of fourteen consecutive days; two weeks.
Usage
The word "fortnight" is used to specify a duration of exactly fourteen days. It is more common in British English than in American English, where "two weeks" is typically preferred.
Examples
- The summer camp lasts a fortnight.
- I will be on vacation for a fortnight starting next Monday.
- "I'll see you in a fortnight," she said as she left.
Advanced Usage
- "a fortnight today" / "a fortnight from today": Refers to a date exactly two weeks from the current day.
- The project is due a fortnight today.
- "a fortnight ago": Refers to a point in time exactly two weeks in the past.
- I received the letter a fortnight ago.
- "fortnightly" (Adjective/Adverb): Occurring or appearing every two weeks.
- We have a fortnightly team meeting. (Adjective)
- The magazine is published fortnightly. (Adverb)
Variants and Related Words
- Fortnightly (adj/adv): Happening or done once every two weeks.
- Biweekly (adj/adv): Can mean either twice a week or once every two weeks, which can cause ambiguity. "Fortnightly" is unambiguous for "every two weeks."
Synonyms
- Two weeks
- Fourteen days
Notes on Meaning
"Fortnight" specifically and unambiguously means a period of fourteen days. It is derived from the Old English "feowertyne niht", meaning "fourteen nights."
Noun
-
a period of fourteen consecutive days
-
most major tennis tournaments last a fortnight
-
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