biennale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biennale" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an event, especially an art exhibition, that occurs every two years. Example: "The Venice Biennale is one of the most prestigious cultural events in the world, showcasing contemporary art from various countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just like elsewhere in Europe, street art in Russia has been largely institutionalised and re-appropriated by swanky galleries – Moscow even had its first biennale of street art last year.

The Guardian

"Our understanding", they write, "is that the detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru are run by the Serco Group, which is not a Biennale sponsor".

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the year the Palazzo houses the Institute of Arts, Science and Letters, but is transformed during the biennale when it becomes a key exhibition venue.

The Guardian - Travel

For socialites, celebrities and billionaires, Venice last month was the place to be, as the art world gathered for the preview of the current Biennale.

The Economist

The decision for the board of the Biennale is an appalling insult to them".

The Guardian

How the Biennale and related events are funded should be key public questions, especially in an age where far too many companies want to mask their dirty profit-making with shiny, artistic treats.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've asked the Biennale to address these contradictions.

The Guardian - Opinion

This situation is entirely unfair – especially when directed towards our dedicated Biennale team who give so much of themselves".

The Guardian - Arts

"Consequently, we unanimously believe that our loyalty to the Belgiorno-Nettis family – and the hundreds of thousands of people who benefit from the Biennale – must override claims over which there is ambiguity".

The Guardian - Arts

"The relationship between the Biennale and the punitive practice of mandatory detention is a context that I feel I am unable to work within," he said.

The Guardian - Arts

The artists of the Biennale have said they will continue to target Transfield Holdings and other arts organisations that receive money from the company.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about an art event that occurs every two years, use the term "biennale" if it's the event's official name. This is particularly common for large, international art exhibitions like the Venice Biennale.

Common error

Avoid confusing "biennale" (every two years) with "biannual" (twice a year). Using the wrong term can significantly alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "biennale" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific type of event held every two years. It's frequently used to describe art exhibitions, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "biennale" is a noun that accurately describes an event held every two years, especially in the context of arts and culture. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically sound and most commonly found in news and media. When using "biennale", ensure you're not confusing it with "biannual", which means twice a year. Alternatives include "biennial exhibition" and "biannual art festival". Use "biennale" when referring to a specific, named event; otherwise, a more descriptive term may be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biennial exhibition

Replaces the term "biennale" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the event as an exhibition held every two years.

biannual art festival

Specifies the "biennale" as an art festival, clarifying the type of event.

biennial event

A more general term that can be used if the specific nature of the "biennale" is already understood.

every-other-year exhibition

An alternative phrasing that describes the frequency of the exhibition.

international art fair (held biennially)

Highlights the international scope and fair-like nature of the "biennale", with added clarification on its frequency.

two-yearly art event

Simplifies the description by explicitly stating that the event happens every two years.

bi-annual showcase

Uses "showcase" to emphasize the display aspect and "bi-annual" as a direct synonym for biennial.

artistic biennale

Adds the adjective "artistic" for emphasis, specifying the nature of the biennale.

bi-yearly exhibition

Uses "bi-yearly" as a synonym for "biennial", though it can be slightly ambiguous (sometimes interpreted as twice a year).

cultural biennale

Broadens the scope to include various cultural expressions beyond just art.

FAQs

What exactly is a "biennale"?

A "biennale" is an event, most commonly an art exhibition or cultural festival, that takes place every two years.

How do I use "biennale" in a sentence?

You can say, "The Venice "Biennale" is a renowned art exhibition", or "The city hosts a music "biennale" every other year".

Is it correct to use "biannual" instead of "biennale"?

While both terms relate to frequency, "biannual" means twice a year, whereas "biennale" means every two years. They are not interchangeable.

Are there synonyms for "biennale" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "biennial exhibition", "biannual art festival", or "every-other-year exhibition" depending on the context.