biannual vs. semiannual
biannual vs. semiannual: What's the difference?
Biannual and semiannual can both mean “twice a year.” However, biannual can also mean “every two years,” and semiannual can also mean “lasting for half a year” (though this sense isn’t commonly used). The best way to be clear is to just say “twice a year” or “every two years.”
[bahy-an-yoo-uhl]
/ baɪˈæn yu əl /
adjective
-
occurring twice a year; semiannual.
-
occurring every two years; biennial.
[sem-ee-an-yoo-uhl, sem-ahy-]
/ ˌsɛm iˈæn yu əl, ˌsɛm aɪ- /
adjective
-
Also occurring, done, or published every half year or twice a year; biannual.
-
lasting for half a year.
a semiannual plant.
