Search Dictionary
Definition of fortnight

fortnight

/ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
fort · night
Adverb:fortnightly
•
Plural:fortnights
•
Adjective:fortnightly
JUMP TO:

fortnight Lexical Profile

fortnight Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A period of two weeks (fourteen days).

Example

"We are planning to spend a fortnight touring the Scottish Highlands this summer."

Word Nuance & Usage

While "fortnight" is standard everyday vocabulary in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, it is rarely used in contemporary North American English, where "two weeks" is strongly preferred.

• Nearby Words

fortified
fortify
fortitude
fortnight
fortnightly
fortress
fortresslike

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English "fourtenight," a contraction of the Old English phrase "feowertyne niht," literally meaning "fourteen nights," reflecting the ancient Germanic custom of reckoning time by nights rather than days.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fortnight. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fortnight
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.