Fortnight

/ˈfɔːrt.naɪt/ noun

Definition

A fortnight is a period of two weeks, or fourteen days. It is still commonly used in British English.

Etymology

From Old English “feowertyne niht” meaning “fourteen nights.” Over time, the phrase squeezed together into a single word.

Kelly Says

Fortnight literally hides ‘fourteen nights’ inside it, a reminder of when people counted time by nights, not days. Even though the word feels old‑fashioned, it still quietly lives on in schedules, rent agreements, and even video game names.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.