fortnight

[ fawrt-nahyt, -nit ]

noun

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

fortnight

/ ˈfɔːtˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a period of 14 consecutive days; two weeks

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortnight¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortnight¹

Old English fēowertīene niht fourteen nights

Example Sentences

Buttercups Sanctuary, which also serves Sussex and Surrey, said it has received nearly 30 goats over the last fortnight, which has pushed the site to maximum capacity with its herd now numbering about 130.

From BBC

Keeley saw her dad less than a fortnight before his death and Alex spoke to him by phone the previous day.

From BBC

"I left it at the ground and we didn't have another home game for a fortnight. It had gone off by the time I got back."

From BBC

Which? investigated deals on 227 products at eight of the biggest home and tech retailers in the UK in last year’s Black Friday "fortnight" between 20 November and 1 December.

From BBC

Letby was due to go on leave for a fortnight after 30 June and afterwards was placed onto clerical duties, never returning to the unit.

From BBC

Related Words

• half-month
• two weeks