fortnight

American  

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

noun

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

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fortnight British  

/ ˈfɔːtˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a period of 14 consecutive days; two weeks

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Etymology

Origin of fortnight

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

Explanation

A fortnight is fourteen nights, or two weeks. This word isn't used much in American English, but you'll come across it if you travel to England — or read a lot of old British novels. The word fortnight is still in use in Great Britain and some former British colonies. It comes from the Old English, and is literally a shortened form of fourteen nights. People sometimes use it when they're discussing their vacations or their pay schedules. In the United States, however, people typically just say "two weeks."

Example Sentences

Without him, Liverpool need others to take responsibility and notably the focus will intensify on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as they take on United, Chelsea and Aston Villa over the next fortnight.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

When the war began a fortnight later, however, and hedge funds rushed to not just deleverage their books but to de-gross them, gold slumped.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

The US rapper had a string of performances in Europe lined up over the coming months, but several have been cancelled or postponed in the last fortnight.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

The pontiff said the remarks, delivered days after a high-profile spat with the US president, had been written a fortnight earlier – "well before the president ever commented on myself".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

A fortnight passed before Littlefinger was strong enough to leave Riverrun, but her lord father forbade her to visit him in the tower where he lay abed.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin