biannually

USAGE SUMMARY

"biannually" is a correct and valid word in written English.
It is an adverb that means "occurring twice a year or every two years." For example, "The company holds biannual meetings to discuss financial plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

World championships have been held biannually, in a succession of host cities, since 1963.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the same year, he received the Peace of Westphalia Prize, awarded biannually for contributions to unity and peace in Europe, and became chancellor of the University of Ghana.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The government required all citizens to have annual chest X-rays, but, because of the unhealthy nature of the building, had sought the rector's approval to check the seminarians biannually.

The New Yorker

Winding the clock forward in March and back in November is like biannually changing the measure of an inch.

The New York Times

Next fall he will offer shows in Brazil and Russia, taking a year off from New York, where the festival will resume next year and continue biannually.

The New York Times - Arts

The prize is to be awarded biannually to a practitioner or academic who also emphasizes a commitment to sustainability and the community.

The New York Times

Wal-Mart said it "will require currently uncertified fisheries to develop work plans to achieve certification and report progress biannually".

The New York Times

The murmurs of Camby's return to the Knicks, nearly a decade after they traded him, come up biannually, whenever Camby faces them.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been conducted biannually since 1994.

The New York Times

Zoom Rockman is a 12-year-old prodigy who writes, illustrates and biannually publishes his own internationally acclaimed comic, The Zoom! It's a snappy, satirical critique of urban life – the new issue tackles the horsemeat scandal – with characters like Skanky Pigeon and celebrity cameos such as Boris Johnson.

The Guardian

U.S. subsidies to R&D in green technologies, specifically solar panels, expire biannually.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether "biannually" might be misinterpreted as "biennially" (every two years). To avoid ambiguity, especially in technical or formal writing, specify "twice a year" or "every two years".

Common error

Avoid using "biannually" when you mean "biennially". "Biannually" means twice a year, while "biennially" means every two years. Double-check your intended meaning to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "biannually" modifies verbs or clauses, indicating the frequency of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms it as a valid term. For instance, "World championships have been held biannually..." shows it specifying how often the championships occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biannually" is a grammatically correct adverb denoting that something occurs twice a year. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. While common, it's essential to distinguish it from "biennially" (every two years) to avoid ambiguity. The term appears frequently in news and media, as well as encyclopedic sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When in doubt, consider using clearer alternatives like "twice a year" to ensure your meaning is understood. Finally, "biannually" helps specify frequency and is an informative way to clarify when an action or event takes place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

semi-annually

A direct synonym indicating a frequency of twice per year.

twice yearly

Short and straightforward, indicating two occurrences annually.

twice a year

Specifies the frequency as two times within a year.

two times per annum

Formally specifies the rate as two instances each year.

every six months

Defines the frequency in terms of a six-month interval.

biennially

Describes an event happening once every two years.

every other year

Expresses the frequency as skipping one year between occurrences.

every second year

Identifies the event happening on alternating years.

occurring every two years

Focuses on the two-year interval between occurrences.

at intervals of two years

Highlights the consistent gap of two years between events.

FAQs

What does "biannually" mean?

"Biannually" means twice a year, or every six months. It's often confused with "biennially", which means every two years.

How do I use "biannually" in a sentence?

You can use "biannually" to describe events that occur twice a year. For example, "The company holds "twice a year" performance reviews."

Which is correct, "biannually" or "biennially"?

Both "biannually" and "biennially" are correct words, but they have different meanings. "Biannually" means twice a year, while "biennially" means every two years. Choose the word that accurately reflects the frequency you intend to describe.

What can I say instead of "biannually"?

You can use alternatives like "twice a year" or "every six months" depending on the context. To describe every two years you can say "biennially" or "every other year".