Meaning & use
biyearly
Last updated
Occurring twice a year, or, in a less common usage, once every two years.
See it in a sentence
The clinic sends out biyearly reminders for dental check-ups in spring and fall.
Because the term is ambiguous, the committee now writes 'every two years' instead of 'biyearly' in official notices.
A note on using this word
This word is notoriously ambiguous, since the prefix 'bi-' can mean either 'twice' or 'every two,' so careful writers often prefer 'semiannual' or 'biennial' to avoid confusion.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Occurring once every two years.
The biyearly census in that district takes place only in even-numbered years.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “biyearly”, then compare your use with the examples above.