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

He played 27 sets across that fortnight and spent 21 hours and 49 minutes on court, including saving a match point against Britain's Dan Evans in the third round.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

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

They have survived a ridicule-filled fortnight which included a fan going viral for drinking from a water bottle labelled 'Arsenal tears' and City striker Erling Haaland calling the Gunners boring on Snapchat.

From BBC • May 2, 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

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