What does "fortnight" mean?
What it means: Two weeks, or fourteen nights. "I'll be away for a fortnight" = I'll be away for two weeks. "A fortnight ago" = two weeks ago.Where it comes from: Old English "feowertyne niht" - fourteen nights.
What it means
Two weeks, or fourteen nights. "I'll be away for a fortnight" = I'll be away for two weeks. "A fortnight ago" = two weeks ago.
Where it comes from
Old English "feowertyne niht" - fourteen nights. Medieval time was often measured in nights rather than days. The word survived in British English; American English dropped it.
Why Americans don't use it
No particular reason - the word simply fell out of use in American English. Americans say "two weeks" where British speakers might say "a fortnight."
Common uses
- "In a fortnight's time" = in two weeks
- "A fortnightly meeting" = every two weeks
- "Once a fortnight" = every two weeks
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Standard British English - not informal, not formal, just neutral. Used comfortably in professional and casual contexts.
What does "fortnight" mean?
Two weeks, or fourteen nights. "I'll be away for a fortnight" = I'll be away for two weeks. "A fortnight ago" = two weeks ago.
Is "fortnight" formal or informal?
Standard British English - not informal, not formal, just neutral. Used comfortably in professional and casual contexts.
Why do native speakers say "fortnight"?
Old English "feowertyne niht" - fourteen nights. Medieval time was often measured in nights rather than days. The word survived in British English; American English dropped it.
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