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bi-

1
  1. a combining form meaning “twice,” “two,” used in the formation of compound words:

    bifacial; bifarious.



bi-

2
  1. variant of bio-, especially before a vowel:

    biopsy.

bi

3

[ bahy ]

adjective

, plural bis, bi's.
  1. Slang. bisexual.

Bi

4
Symbol, Chemistry.
  1. bismuth.

BI

5

abbreviation for

, plural BI's.
  1. plural BIs built-in.

bi-

1

combining_form

  1. a variant of bio-
“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


Bi

2

the chemical symbol for

  1. bismuth
“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

bi

3

the internet domain name for

  1. Burundi
“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

bi

4

/ baɪ /

adjective

  1. slang.
    short for bisexual bisexual
“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

bi-

5

combining_form

  1. two; having two

    bifocal

  2. occurring every two; lasting for two

    biennial

  3. on both sides, surfaces, directions, etc

    bilateral

  4. occurring twice during

    biweekly

    1. denoting an organic compound containing two identical cyclic hydrocarbon systems

      biphenyl

    2. (rare in technical usage) indicating an acid salt of a dibasic acid

      sodium bicarbonate

    3. (not in technical usage) equivalent of di- 1
“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
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Confusables Note

All words except biennial referring to periods of time and prefixed by bi- 1 are potentially ambiguous. Since bi- can be taken to mean either “twice each” or “every two,” a word like biweekly can be understood as “twice each week” or “every two weeks.” To avoid confusion, it is better to use the prefix semi- to mean “twice each” ( semiannual; semimonthly; semiweekly ) or the phrase twice a or twice each ( twice a month; twice a week; twice each year ), and for the other sense to use the phrase every two ( every two months; every two weeks; every two years ).
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bi-1

< Latin, combining form of bis; twice

Origin of bi-2

By shortening
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bi-1

from Latin, from bis twice
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Example Sentences

Are you bi-coastal now, between Portlandia and Late Night with Seth Meyers?

As a professed bi-sexual, Evans is misunderstood by those who find her choices offensive.

In 2009 Grindr debuted, a dating (or, really, hook-up) app geared towards gay, bi-sexual, and bi-curious men.

Elsewhere, the bi-communal separation continues, with fierce nationalists seemingly intent on cementing this divide.

The typically somber atmosphere at the bi-annual church convocation was punctuated by hollers, applause and a shout of “brill!”

During the first ten years the sessions were bi-annual, but since 1895 have been held every five years.

It seems to me, Hinnissy, that this here thing called bi-ography is a kind iv an offset f'r histhry.

Histhry lies on wan side, an' bi-ography comes along an' makes it rowl over an' lie on th' other side.

Th' on'y bi-ography I care about is th' one Mulligan th' stone-cutter will chop out f'r me.

I like Mulligan's style, f'r he's no flatthrer, an' he has wan model iv bi-ography that he uses f'r old an' young, rich an' poor.

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