What does weekly mean?
Weekly is an adjective and adverb describing something that happens, is done, or is published once every week. It is one of the most useful ways to express a regular seven-day schedule: a weekly meeting, weekly report, weekly payment, or weekly visit. The adverb is also common in phrases such as “meet weekly” or “pay weekly,” where it means at intervals of one week. In British English, the noun “a weekly” traditionally refers to a newspaper or magazine published once a week, though the expression is also used in American English. Weekly can sometimes suggest a routine, dependable, or recurring event, especially in administrative and organizational contexts. Together with daily, monthly, and annual, it forms a basic vocabulary of regular time intervals. Its straightforward formation from “week” and the suffix “-ly” makes its meaning immediately accessible while preserving a formal, familiar tone.
Occurring, done, or published once every week.
"The organization releases a weekly summary of its activities."
Common in both formal and informal English; it may also suggest that something is a regular part of a weekly schedule.
Once every week or at intervals of one week.
"The library hosts a discussion group weekly."
Frequently used with verbs such as meet, publish, visit, pay, and report.
A newspaper, magazine, or other publication issued once a week.
"The editor writes for a national weekly."
Especially common in British English. The usual plural is “weeklies.”
The plural of the noun meaning a publication issued once a week, especially in British English.
"Several local weeklies covered the story."
Weekly comes from the same Old English root as week, turning a unit of time into a habit, schedule, or publication.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does weekly come from?
The English adjective and adverb weekly are formed from “week” plus the suffix “-ly,” giving the sense “at intervals of one week.” The word “week” descends from Old English wicu, meaning a period of seven days, and ultimately from a Germanic root associated with a turn or a recurring period of time. Related English forms include “weekday,” “weekend,” and “weeknight,” while cognates such as Dutch week and German Woche reflect the same Germanic origin.
Related word forms
How weekly is actually used
As an adjective and adverb, weekly is common in formal and informal English in both British and American usage. As a noun, it is especially established in British English; American speakers may more often say weekly publication or weekly magazine.
Easily confused with weekly
Weakly means with little strength or force, whereas weekly means once every week.