What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
biannually
Example
The company holds biannual meetings to discuss its progress and future plans. [biannual: adjective]
Example
The magazine is published biannually, in January and July. [biannually: adverb]
semiannually
Example
The rent is due semiannually, on the first day of January and July. [semiannually: adverb]
Example
Employees undergo semiannual performance evaluations to assess their progress. [semiannual: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Semiannually is more commonly used than biannually in everyday language. Semiannually is a more versatile term that can be applied to various contexts, such as payments or evaluations, while biannually is less common and often limited to specific domains like publications or meetings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between biannually and semiannually?
While biannually is typically associated with a formal tone and used in professional or academic settings, semiannually is more informal and commonly used in casual conversations or everyday language.
