Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

biennial

/baɪˈɛn.i.əl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.25 in modern English

Syllables: bi-en-ni-al
IPA: /baɪˈɛn.i.əl/

10

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

4

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Happening every two years.

adj

Lasting for two years.

noun

A plant that requires two years to complete its life-cycle, germinating and growing in its first year, then producing its flowers and fruit in its second year, after which it usually dies.

noun

An event that happens every two years.

Example Sentences

"This is a marked difference from the task force’s previous guidance, which was to start biennial mammograms by age 50."
"The famous Biennial was won by Earl of Dartrey, a light, peacocky horse, who was, perhaps, better than he looked."

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin bienni(um) (“two-year period”) [from bis, bi- (“twice”) + annus (“year”)] + -al (suffix forming adjectives). By surface analysis, bi- + -ennial.

Inflected Forms

biennials (plural)

Derived Forms

bienniality

Phrases

quasi-biennial oscillation

Frequently Paired Words

biennium biennially biannual semiannual annual triennial quadrennial quinquennial

Synonyms

biennary biannual two-year biyearly

Rhymes With

perennial centennial millennial bicentennial triennial quadrennial decennial

Questions

How do you pronounce biennial?: The recorded pronunciation is /baɪˈɛn.i.əl/.
What does biennial mean?: Happening every two years.
Where does biennial come from?: Borrowed from Latin bienni(um) (“two-year period”) [from bis, bi- (“twice”) + annus (“year”)] + -al (suffix forming adjectives). By surface analysis, bi- + -ennial.

How to pronounce biennial

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “biennial”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/baɪˈɛn.i.əl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “biennial”.
Repeat and practice — Say “biennial” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.