semiweekly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "semiweekly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that happens twice a week. Example: "The team meets semiweekly to discuss project updates and progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Established in 1749 by a German printer, Ernst Heinrich Berling, as a semiweekly called the Københavnske Danske Post-Tidende, it became a daily in 1841.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are daily and semiweekly newspapers and quarterly and monthly magazines published on Guam, and several radio and television stations broadcast local and international news and features daily.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adam Bryant has interviewed hundreds of executives during more than four years of writing Corner Office, his semiweekly Q. & A. feature on leadership and management.

The New York Times

Mr. Griffin, who died on Nov. 23 at 78, was the city editor of a semiweekly Pecos newspaper that competed fiercely with a daily paper owned by none other than Mr. Estes.

The New York Times

Mr. Mullet decided to stop holding the semiweekly church services that are the norm for the Amish, instead calling meetings that were filled with accusations and confessions.

The New York Times

A restaurant review in a March issue of his semiweekly newspaper complained, "These days, in Cuzco, 'older' means 'established 1990.' " Globalization has gone on a tear in the old Incan center known by an earlier generation of backpacking tourists for its sublimely exotic spiritual setting.

The New York Times

The semiweekly magazine Zitty, $2.90 at newsstands, provides bar, club and entertainment listings.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was like having somebody sit alongside me saying, 'Hey, this is the way we do this,' " said Mrs. Murphy, who is learning how to chat online by participating in semiweekly chats held by the site's Webmaster, Gwen Schertl.

The New York Times - Tech

It is every journalist's dream: to hold forth, weekly or semiweekly, on just anything.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "semiweekly", ensure your audience understands it means twice a week to avoid confusion with "biweekly", which can mean every two weeks. Context is key.

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of interchanging "semiweekly" (twice a week) with "biweekly" (every two weeks) or (twice a week). Always clarify if there is a chance of ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The term "semiweekly" functions as an adverbial, modifying a noun or verb to indicate frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that occurs twice a week. Examples from news sources illustrate its use in describing recurring events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "semiweekly" means twice a week, and while grammatically correct, it's often confused with "biweekly". Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but alternatives like "twice a week" are generally clearer. Its primary function is to specify frequency, and it appears most often in news and encyclopedic contexts. To avoid ambiguity, especially in professional or informal settings, consider using alternative phrasings. Remember context is king when it comes to clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice a week

Replaces the single word with a clearer two-word phrase.

twice-weekly

Hyphenated version, visually different but semantically identical.

bi-weekly

Uses an alternative prefix to convey the same frequency, though potentially ambiguous.

occurring two times per week

A more verbose but unambiguous way to express the same frequency.

two times weekly

A slightly different word order, maintaining the same meaning.

two times each week

Adds a bit of emphasis and clarity.

every three and a half days

Expresses the frequency in terms of days, which might be useful in specific contexts.

at a frequency of two per week

A more formal and technical phrasing.

on two days per week

Focuses on the specific days of the week.

on a half-weekly basis

Emphasizes the periodicity of the occurrence.

FAQs

What does "semiweekly" mean?

"Semiweekly" means occurring twice a week. It's important not to confuse it with "biweekly", which can mean every two weeks.

Is it better to use "semiweekly" or "twice a week"?

While "semiweekly" is correct, "twice a week" is often clearer and avoids potential ambiguity. The best choice depends on your audience and the context.

What is an alternative to "semiweekly" that avoids confusion?

Alternatives like "twice a week" or "two times a week" are less ambiguous and more readily understood.

How can I use "semiweekly" correctly in a sentence?

You can say, "The team has "semiweekly" meetings to discuss project progress." Ensure the context clarifies that it means twice a week.