In this installment of Word Knots we’ll focus on two words that are often confused.

Once again our source for this is installment is The Dictionary of Disagreeable English by Robert Hartwell Fiske (Chicago: Writer’s Digest Books). It’s a great book: Check it out.

From Fiske (excerpted):

biannual

Confused with biennial. Biannual means twice a year. Biennial means once in two years or lasting two years.

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Here are the most relevant Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary definitions (excerpted):

biannual

adjective

: occurring, appearing, or being made, done, or acted upon twice a year

biennial

adjective

1 : occurring, appearing, or being made, done, or acted upon every two years — compare biannual

2 : continuing or lasting for two years specifically, of a plant : growing vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and  dying during the second 

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As you can see, the definitions are similar, yet distinct. Gardeners would be familiar with biennial, which generally refers to, for example, flowers that will only bloom in the second year and then not come back.

Let’s look at examples.

Since the meeting would be held biannually, we decided that it should be held in the spring and in the fall.

The biennial meeting is only held in odd-numbered years.

I tend to plant annuals along with biennials, since I get impatient waiting for blooms.

Once again, details are critical, which is why checking your work is an important step toward ensuring that your intended meaning is clear.

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