fortnight

American  

[fawrt-nahyt, -nit] / ˈfɔrtˌnaɪt, -nɪt /

noun

1. the space of fourteen nights and days; two weeks.

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fortnight British  

/ ˈfɔːtˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a period of 14 consecutive days; two weeks

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Etymology

Origin of fortnight

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fourtenight, contraction of Old English fēowertēne niht; see fourteen, night

Explanation

A fortnight is fourteen nights, or two weeks. This word isn't used much in American English, but you'll come across it if you travel to England — or read a lot of old British novels. The word fortnight is still in use in Great Britain and some former British colonies. It comes from the Old English, and is literally a shortened form of fourteen nights. People sometimes use it when they're discussing their vacations or their pay schedules. In the United States, however, people typically just say "two weeks."

Example Sentences

Within a fortnight of Kebatu's release, it emerged that two other men had been freed in error - both from the same prison, London's HMP Wandsworth.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

With the FA Cup quarter-finals next up in a fortnight, the next Premier League action won't be until 10 April.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

For a typical mortgage, that means a five-year fixed deal is now £651 more expensive than a fortnight ago, Moneyfacts said.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Since the 1992 Games, the Winter Paralympics have always been held in March, usually starting just shy of a fortnight after the conclusion of the Winter Olympics.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

“Yes. It was my business to attend to his correspondence. The first letter came a fortnight ago.”

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie