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

The two strikes came less than a fortnight after a large-scale, coordinated offensive by jihadists and separatists on junta positions, which plunged the west African country into a fresh security crisis.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The couple used to enjoy an evening out at their local pub once a fortnight, but said it was now something they could not regularly do.

From BBC • May 5, 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

Arya did not know who Bloody Mummers were until a fortnight later, when the queerest company of men she'd ever seen arrived at Harrenhal.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin