18 Other Ways to Say “Biweekly”

“Biweekly” is one of those terms that can often lead to confusion because it is used to mean either twice a week or once every two weeks, depending on the context in which it’s used. For example, when someone says, “We have biweekly meetings,” it’s not always immediately clear whether they mean meetings happening twice a week or every other week—this ambiguity can cause scheduling errors, misunderstandings, and communication issues.

That’s why having a clear set of alternative expressions to replace “biweekly” can be extremely helpful, especially when you’re aiming to communicate more precisely in professional settings, academic environments, or everyday conversations. This article is designed to introduce 18 different ways you can express the idea of “biweekly” while eliminating confusion and tailoring your message to suit the tone, audience, and context you’re working within.

Other Ways to Say “Biweekly”

1. Every Other Week

Example: “We’ll meet every other week to discuss progress.”
Meaning: Occurring once every two weeks; helps remove the ambiguity of “biweekly.”
Usage: Ideal in casual, professional, and written settings where clarity is more important than brevity.

2. Twice a Week

Example: “I go to the gym twice a week to stay in shape.”
Meaning: Happening two times within one week; the opposite interpretation of “biweekly.”
Usage: Simple and clear in daily conversations and scheduling situations where misunderstanding is likely.

3. Fortnightly

Example: “Our team submits reports on a fortnightly basis.”
Meaning: Occurring every two weeks, derived from “fortnight” meaning a 14-day period.
Usage: Common in British English and formal documents but less frequently used in American English.

4. Semiweekly

Example: “The newsletter is published on a semiweekly schedule.”
Meaning: Occurring twice a week; often used in journalistic and institutional publications.
Usage: Best for formal communication or when aligning with editorial or production timelines.

5. Every Two Weeks

Example: “We pay our employees every two weeks.”
Meaning: Another unambiguous way to express biweekly as every fourteen days.
Usage: Excellent for payroll, appointment schedules, and administrative communication.

6. Twice Per Week

Example: “She practices the violin twice per week.”
Meaning: Emphasizes two separate sessions within the same seven-day week.
Usage: Suitable for educational settings, medical prescriptions, or coaching programs.

7. Two Times a Week

Example: “I teach the course two times a week.”
Meaning: Essentially identical to “twice a week” but slightly more detailed in structure.
Usage: Great for clarity in verbal or written instructions where rhythm and repetition matter.

8. Bimonthly (Ambiguous)

Example: “The board holds bimonthly meetings.”
Meaning: Sometimes used to mean twice a month or every two months; hence, often leads to confusion like “biweekly.”
Usage: Use cautiously and always clarify with exact dates or alternative phrasing.

9. Every Fortnight

Example: “We get together every fortnight for dinner.”
Meaning: British English equivalent of “every other week,” clear in international settings familiar with the term.
Usage: Works well in global communication, particularly among Commonwealth nations.

10. Two Times Weekly

Example: “Classes are held two times weekly during the semester.”
Meaning: A more specific way to say “semiweekly,” eliminating doubt in daily scheduling.
Usage: Frequently used in course planning, medical routines, and business operations.

11. On a Two-Week Cycle

Example: “We operate on a two-week cycle for feedback collection.”
Meaning: Highlights a structured, repeating schedule that resets every two weeks.
Usage: Especially useful in business, marketing, and operational settings where cycles and routines are emphasized.

12. On Alternate Weeks

Example: “Garbage collection happens on alternate weeks.”
Meaning: Indicates that something occurs every other week, with gaps between occurrences.
Usage: Works well in public service announcements, logistics, and resource planning.

13. Biweekly (Clarified)

Example: “Biweekly (once every two weeks) meetings will resume in August.”
Meaning: Still uses the original word but clarifies its intended meaning for the reader.
Usage: Suitable when audiences are already familiar with the term but need assurance on interpretation.

14. Every Second Week

Example: “The finance team checks inventory every second week.”
Meaning: Another way to say “every other week,” this phrase has a logical mathematical tone.
Usage: Helpful in scientific writing, reporting procedures, or workflow documentation.

15. Split Weekly

Example: “We do split weekly meetings—Monday and Thursday.”
Meaning: Describes meetings or actions spaced out across a week, often twice.
Usage: Best when distinguishing between clustered events versus spread-out ones.

16. Twice in Seven Days

Example: “She sees her physical therapist twice in seven days.”
Meaning: Makes the frequency unambiguous and time-bound by using a numeric frame.
Usage: Effective in medical, contractual, or regulated industries that require clarity in timing.

17. Once Every Two Weeks

Example: “I only have to water this plant once every two weeks.”
Meaning: Breaks the phrase down plainly and removes any potential for misunderstanding.
Usage: Perfect for informal instructions, reminders, or casual planning scenarios.

18. Every Other Monday (or Day/Weekday)

Example: “Our department meets every other Monday morning.”
Meaning: Offers the exact day of recurrence, sidestepping any confusion about general frequency.
Usage: Useful in calendars, workplace memos, or school schedules where specific timing is essential.

When to Use Different “Biweekly” Alternatives

In Professional Settings

In workplaces and corporate environments where precision and consistency matter most, expressions like “every two weeks,” “on alternate weeks,” or “on a two-week cycle” help eliminate confusion that could derail meetings, payrolls, or deliverables. These alternatives reflect clarity, professionalism, and time sensitivity.

In Everyday Conversations

For casual or household communication, it’s better to use common phrases like “twice a week,” “every other week,” or “once every two weeks,” since these phrasings are more intuitive, less formal, and widely understood by all age groups and audiences.

In Academic or Research Contexts

In scientific, educational, or data-driven contexts, terms like “fortnightly,” “semiweekly,” or “every second week” offer a clear, methodical tone that supports research documentation, peer-reviewed communication, and technical writing with minimal room for interpretation.

Conclusion

While the term “biweekly” might seem like a convenient way to describe a recurring event, its inherent ambiguity often leads to confusion that could easily be avoided by choosing more descriptive alternatives. Whether you’re scheduling meetings, outlining a medical routine, or planning content releases, selecting the right phrase can significantly improve clarity and prevent costly misunderstandings.

Thankfully, with so many accurate and expressive options—from “every other week” to “twice in seven days”—you can tailor your word choice to your exact audience and setting, without relying on vague or potentially misleading terminology.

If you’re looking for even more alternatives or clarification for other commonly confused time expressions, resources like Thesaurus.com and Merriam-Webster offer a rich library of synonyms and usage examples that go far beyond the basics.

FAQs

What does “biweekly” mean?
“Biweekly” can mean either twice a week or once every two weeks, depending on the context, which is why it often leads to confusion.

Is “biweekly” the same as “fortnightly”?
Yes, when “biweekly” is used to mean once every two weeks, it is synonymous with “fortnightly.” However, “fortnightly” is more common in British English.

Is “semiweekly” the same as “biweekly”?
Not quite. “Semiweekly” specifically means twice a week, while “biweekly” might mean twice a week or once every two weeks, so it’s important to clarify your meaning.

How do I make sure people understand what I mean by ‘biweekly’?
Use more specific alternatives like “every other week” or “twice a week,” or clarify by including the exact frequency, such as “biweekly (once every two weeks).”

What’s the safest way to schedule something biweekly without confusion?
Spell out the frequency clearly in writing—use phrases like “every other Tuesday” or “twice per week” rather than relying on the term “biweekly” alone.