What does semiannual mean?
Semiannual means occurring twice a year or lasting for six months. It is commonly used for reports, meetings, payments, reviews, and other scheduled activities that take place two times within a calendar or business year. The word combines the Latin-derived prefix semi-, meaning “half,” with annual, meaning “relating to a year,” so it literally suggests two half-year periods. Semiannual is especially useful in formal and administrative contexts because it clearly identifies a twice-yearly frequency. It should not be confused with biannual, which can mean either twice a year or every two years. When used with events, semiannual generally describes their frequency; when describing a period, activity, or report, it can also indicate that the thing lasts for six months. The adverb semiannually is commonly used to modify verbs such as publish, meet, review, and accrue.
adjectiveOccurring or happening twice a year. Also, lasting for six months.
- Occurring or happening twice a year.
- Lasting for six months.
"The company publishes a semiannual report on its environmental performance."
"The charity will hold its semiannual fundraising dinner in June and December."
"The research project received semiannual funding for a period of three years."
Semiannual comes from the Latin semi, meaning “half,” and annus, meaning “year”: it literally points to two half-years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does semiannual come from?
Semiannual was formed in English from semi- and annual. The prefix comes from Latin semi, meaning “half,” while annual derives from Latin annus, meaning “year” and annuus, meaning “yearly.” The Latin root also appears in annual, anniversary, biennial, and perennial, all members of the same broad etymological family concerned with years and yearly intervals.
Related word forms
How semiannual is actually used
Semiannual is standard in formal and professional contexts. The adverb form is semiannually. It is more precise than biannual when the intended meaning is “twice a year.”
Easily confused with semiannual
Biannual can mean occurring twice a year or occurring every two years, whereas semiannual specifically means occurring twice a year.