Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

fortnight

American  
[fawrt-nahyt, -nit] / ˈfɔrtˌnaɪt, -nɪt /

noun

  1. the space of fourteen nights and days; two weeks.


fortnight British  
/ ˈfɔːtˌnaɪt /

noun

  1. a period of 14 consecutive days; two weeks

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fortnight

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fourtenight, contraction of Old English fēowertēne niht; fourteen, night

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a fortnight where Europe-chasing rivals United drew two blanks in three league games, Arsenal hit 10 across two games to overhaul their goal difference deficit.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Those 62 hours between Galatasaray and Brighton are gone and it is now about the next fortnight, where most of the Liverpool players will be on international duty.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Australian airline Qantas said in a statement that it is also increasing fares which "will vary from route to route" after jet fuel costs rose up to 150 per cent over the past fortnight.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Over the past fortnight, around a dozen of the "landscaped" potholes uploaded online have since been filled by the council, while others have not remained that way for long.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

Over the next fortnight I moved back and forth between Qunu and Mqhekezweni, staying by turns with my mother and No- England, visiting and receiving friends and relatives.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela