What does bi-monthly mean Meaning and Definition
What does bi-monthly mean
Pronunciation
/baɪˈmɒnθli/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Freight that is billed and collected in two-month intervals. In this context, one “bi-monthly” shipment is transported every two months.
Examples
- The store offers bi-monthly inventory sales to clear out old stock.
- The household collects bi-monthly utility bills, including electricity, gas, and water.
Synonyms
- Bimonthly
- Bi-annually
Antonyms
- Monthly
- Daily
Additional Information
Bi-monthly refers to an event or occurrence that happens every two months. This is often used in financial, business, or household contexts to refer to regular expenses, bills, or payments. For example, a subscription service might charge customers bi-monthly, or a household might receive bi-monthly utility bills from their provider. This term is often confused with the word “monthly,” which means occurring once a month. The key difference is the interval, with bi-monthly shipments or payments occurring after two months, as opposed to monthly payments, which occur after one month.
Bi-monthly goods or services are beneficial for consumers because they provide a steady, regular supply of essential items. However, they can sometimes be expensive due to the longer delivery period. Moreover, companies or service providers offering bi-monthly services should clearly communicate their billing schedules to customers to avoid confusion.
The usage of “bi-monthly” has become more widespread in recent years, especially with the rise of online shopping, subscription services, and digital banking. This shift has led to a greater need for clear communication around billing schedules and payment terms.
Etymology
The term “bi-monthly” comes from the Latin words ‘bi’ meaning ‘two’ and ‘monthly’ denoting the regular, predictable schedule of expenses or deliveries.
Usage Notes
When using “bi-monthly,” make sure to clearly specify the term to avoid confusion with “monthly.” For instance, if referring to a service that supplies something on a schedule that takes place twice in a month, use phrases such as “billed twice a month” or “every other month.”
Cultural References
Clinical trials have also started shifting to a “bi-monthly” payment to individuals participating.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Bi-monthly expenses can often incur extra costs over routine consumer purchases on monthly interest rate plans.
Related Words or Phrases
Commonly, consumers equate with a quarterly subscription, which also takes place roughly every three months,
Collocations
Some of the common collocations with “bi-monthly” include shipment, expenses, and subscription.
Frequency of Use
The frequency of use for “bi-monthly” has increased with the rise of e-commerce, digital banking, and subscription services. The word is commonly used in contexts such as bi-monthly delivery schedules, bi-monthly payments, or bi-monthly utility bills.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of “bi-monthly” include “bi-months” used, oddly incorrecty word selection ‘every other month’, which has been swapped with bi weekly, incorrect name in lieu of ‘half-year’, simply referring to periodical payment.