I’m not sure this post on the polysemous bimonthly versus semimonthly will help a whole lot. It’s that bi-. It’s so vague.
Bimonthly is twice, but it can be twice a month or every two months. Which means that whatever is bimonthly, it could be happening twenty-four times OR six times a year.
Semimonthly is much simpler. It’s twice a month. Period.
Of course, semimonthly isn’t used all that frequently, so readers won’t necessarily get the difference. Instead, you may want to be more specific with twice a month or every two months. Another option is to use the British fortnight or fortnightly, which means a period of two weeks.
You may also want to explore “Bi- vs Biannual vs Biennial“.
Word Confusions…
…started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noir for you from either end.
If you found this post on “Bimonthly versus Semimonthly” interesting, consider tweeting it to your friends. Subscribe to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.
| Bimonthly | Semimonthly |
|---|---|
| Credit to: Apple Dictionary.com; Dictionary.com: bimonthly, semimonthly; Lexico.com: bimonthly, semimonthly | |
|
Creative Commons Asia-Pacific Newsletter is courtesy of — This copy of the September–October bimonthly is the very first. |
The Congressional Record for January 2001 is courtesy of the Library of Congress, via Wikimedia Commons, and is in the public domain. The issue for 5 January can be found at <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CREC-2001-01-05.pdf> while the 20 January issue is at <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CREC-2001-01-20.pdf>. — A semimonthly, it comes out twice a month. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Adjective; Adverb; Noun
Plural for the noun: bimonthlies |
Adjective; Adverb; Noun
Plural for the noun: semimonthlies |
| Adjective: Occurring or produced twice a month or every two months Semimonthly Adverb: Semimonthly Noun: |
Adjective: [Chiefly North American] Occurring or published twice a month Adverb: Noun: A semimonthly publication |
| Examples: | |
| Adjective: It was only a bimonthly newsletter. The IPPA / Royal & SunAlliance National Photographic Awards are judged on a bimonthly basis with over 1000 submissions being awarded either Diamond, Gold, Silver or Bronze crests. Dedi Haryadi, a researcher and chief editor of bimonthly bulletin Bujet in Bandung, West Java, urged a phasing out all non-budgetary funds and verification of all spending by state institutions and enterprises by the BPK. Adverb: Next year we plan six field trips to take place bimonthly. Chairman of the Police Community Consultative Committee, he meets with residents bimonthly at the police station and says everyone agrees more police would help. Noun: Instead, his bimonthly compiles and summarizes the reviews in major newspapers and runs features that put context on books and authors, both current and classic. This bimonthly hits the mark with the same luxe-lifestyle positioning as its American Express siblings. |
Adjective: Paydays are semimonthly. Plan a series of monthly or semi-monthly nights for the entire church family to get together. Alternately, the same night, the Neon Love crew will be launching their semi-monthly Pastel night over at Mile End Bar. Adverb: I can’t remember if I send her money semimonthly or monthly. Honey, if you’re sending $20 semimonthly, then you’re sending her $40 a month. Noun: The organization sends out a semimonthly. A semimonthly would keep our audience better informed. |
| History of the Word: | |
| First recorded in 1840–50; the combining form bi- + monthly. | First recorded in 1855–60; the combining form semi- + monthly. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan…which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them…and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions by exploring the index. You may also want to explore Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, and/or the Properly Punctuated.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
This was my own creation in Photoshop.
