fortnight

American  

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

noun

fortnights plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fortnights
  plural

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

Draper was critical of several ATP and WTA mandatory tournaments adding to the workload by being extended across a fortnight to create so-called 'mini Slams'.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

It is only a fortnight since Scotland fans on both sides of the Atlantic woke up after the country's first World Cup win in 36 years.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

Therefore Infantino's travel is believed to have produced roughly the amount of CO2e in just over a fortnight as about 78 people might produce across a calendar year.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

Vaughan, who captained England in 51 Tests including the historic 2005 Ashes series, said he hoped the recent tumultuous fortnight was not the main reason for Stokes' decision.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

When there had been no sign of her behaviour abating after a fortnight or so, I think you will understand that I started to become a little impatient.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro