What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
biannual
Example
The company holds biannual meetings to discuss its progress and future plans. [biannual: adjective]
Example
The magazine publishes biannual issues, one in spring and one in fall. [biannual: adjective]
biyearly
Example
The Olympics is a biyearly event that brings together athletes from around the world. [biyearly: adjective]
Example
The research institute publishes biyearly reports on the state of the environment. [biyearly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Biannual is more commonly used than biyearly in everyday language. Biannual is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while biyearly is less common and specifically refers to events or occurrences that happen every two years.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between biannual and biyearly?
While both biannual and biyearly can be used in formal and informal contexts, biannual is more commonly used and considered more formal than biyearly.