fortnight

noun

fort·​night ˈfȯrt-ˌnīt 

: a period of 14 days : two weeks

They stayed with us for a fortnight.

Examples of fortnight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hungaroring posed a different challenge to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps during the Belgian GP nearly a fortnight ago, where Verstappen finished third. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 July 2026

In the past fortnight, the US has launched nightly air strikes, renewed the blockade of Iranian ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, and reimposed sanctions. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 25 July 2026

Getty Images Arthur Fery’s dream run at Wimbledon came to an end in the semifinals, but the British wildcard scored a huge payday during the fortnight. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

More than half a million visitors attend Wimbledon over the Grand Slam fortnight. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fourtenight, alteration of fourtene night, from Old English fēowertȳne niht fourteen nights

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fortnight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

fortnight

noun

fort·​night ˈfōrt-ˌnīt 

ˈfȯrt-

: a period of 14 days : two weeks

fortnightly

-lē

adverb or adjective

Etymology

Old English fēowertȳne niht "fourteen nights"