birthday

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "birthday" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the day that a person was born or to refer to the event of celebrating a birth anniversary. Example sentence: It was my son's fourth birthday, so we had a big celebration with all of his friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been created by Thorntons to mark the company's 100th birthday and, after months of top-secret cooking, the 5,792.5kg (12,770lb) treat was unveiled to staff and visitors at the confectioner's headquarters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Google's latest doodle celebrates the birthday of Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann, who discovered the existence of an inner core in the Earth.

The Guardian - Tech

If they have iPads and birthday extravaganzas now, what will they demand when they're teens?

The Guardian

Related: Dundee 0-1 Inverness | Scottish Premiership match report In the case of Inverness, in the year of their 21st birthday, this flagship occasion and opportunity to claim what would be a first piece of major silverware could hardly be more timely.

The Guardian - Sport

While it can be hard to tell at times whether or not she's in on the joke, in some moments (like this birthday tribute to Madonna) she's a knowing comedic genius, and it's clear that she's trying to make herself laugh as much as anyone else.

The Guardian

The highlight of the week was on the day of my 60th birthday.

The Guardian - Travel

I celebrate my birthday in the morning with my girlfriends over brunch and, in the evening, I order in and cuddle up with my dog.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Who would think I would still be here to tell the tale?" Jonathan was one of the first to be diagnosed with HIV in this country yet recently celebrated his 65th birthday.

The Guardian - Film

As of 2011-12, ELCs pay the standard $925,000 per year (not counting bonuses), but if a player is 18 or 19 (Monahan's 19th birthday was a few days ago) and plays fewer than nine games in a season, that contract gets pushed forward to the next year.

The Guardian - Sport

She smiled wanly and handed me my birthday present, a CD compilation entitled Songs for Meditation.

The Guardian

Here, to celebrate its birthday, we share our top 10 favourite quotes!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use descriptive language to convey the tone and atmosphere of a birthday celebration.

Common error

Be mindful of the distinction between "birthday" (the anniversary) and "birthdate" (the specific date). Use "birthdate" when referring to the date itself and "birthday" when referring to the anniversary or celebration.

Linguistic Context

The noun "birthday" primarily functions as a reference to the anniversary of a person's birth or the celebration associated with it. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used in diverse contexts, from news reports about significant birthdays to personal anecdotes about birthday celebrations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Lifestyle

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Opinion

3%

Film

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis confirms that "birthday" is a grammatically correct and very common noun used to denote the anniversary of a birth or the associated celebration. Ludwig's examples show its widespread use across diverse contexts like news, lifestyle, and personal narratives. The register is typically neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "birth anniversary" and "natal day", offering formal alternatives, while "birthdate" specifies the date itself. When using "birthday", be mindful of its distinction from "birthdate" to avoid common errors. Ludwig AI also provides insights on its diverse usages. Remembering these aspects will ensure precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

birth anniversary

This alternative directly replaces "birthday" with a more formal term emphasizing the yearly recurrence.

birthdate

A shorter, more concise version of "date of birth".

natal day

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for "birthday".

day of birth

Focuses on the specific day when someone was born.

date of birth

Emphasizes the date itself rather than the celebration.

day someone was born

A descriptive phrase specifying the event of birth.

annual celebration of birth

A more elaborate way of referring to a birthday celebration.

the day I was born

Personalized reference to the day of one's birth.

coming of age

Refers to the attainment of adulthood, often associated with a specific birthday.

year of birth

Highlights the year in which someone was born.

FAQs

What's the difference between "birthday" and "birthdate"?

"Birthday" refers to the anniversary of someone's birth and the celebration associated with it. "Birthdate", on the other hand, is the specific date on which someone was born.

What can I say instead of "Happy Birthday"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "Wishing you a wonderful "birth anniversary"", "Many happy returns", or simply "Have a great day".

How do I use "birthday" in a sentence?

You can use "birthday" to refer to the date itself (e.g., "My birthday is in July") or to the celebration (e.g., "We're having a party for her birthday").

Is it correct to say "birthday party" or "birthdate party"?

"Birthday party" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Birthdate party" is not standard English.