Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

bimonthly

[bahy-muhnth-lee]
See more synonyms for bimonthly on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. occurring every two months.
  2. occurring twice a month; semimonthly.
Show More
noun, plural bi·month·lies.
  1. a bimonthly publication.
Show More
adverb
  1. every two months: Next year we plan six field trips to take place bimonthly.
  2. twice a month; semimonthly.
Show More

Origin of bimonthly

First recorded in 1840–50; bi-1 + monthly
Can be confusedbimonthly biweekly semimonthly (see usage note at bi-1)

Usage note

See bi-1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bi-monthly

Historical Examples

  • It appears bi-monthly, and is under the direction of the Conference of Principals.

    The Deaf

    Harry Best

  • The advantage of a bi-monthly mail is of course a distinct question.

  • A journal of natural history published bi-monthly at Berlin.

  • “President Wakefield wants us to have bi-monthly meetings,” continued Judy.

  • They were broken by bi-monthly "levees," at which Mr. and Mrs. Davis received "the world and his wife."

British Dictionary definitions for bi-monthly

bimonthly

adjective, adverb
  1. every two months
  2. (often avoided because of confusion with sense 1) twice a month; semimonthlySee bi- 1
Show More
noun plural -lies
  1. a periodical published every two months
Show More
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

Word Origin and History for bi-monthly

bimonthly

adj.

also bi-monthly, 1846, "happening once in two months, every two months," also "occurring twice a month," a hybrid from bi- + monthly.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper