Quick answer
Fortnight means a period of two weeks. It is usually pronounced FORT-night, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Fortnight
Fortnight means a period of two weeks. It belongs to archaic and forgotten words and works best in historical fiction, mock-Elizabethan insults, and old-fashioned comic prose. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
archaicold-fashionedliterary
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, fortnight refers to a period of two weeks. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Fortnight feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Fortnight is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Fortnight is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as fortnight.
- In the novel, one fortnight is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used fortnight in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain fortnight before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating fortnight because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use fortnight when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in historical fiction, mock-Elizabethan insults, and old-fashioned comic prose.
Similar words
anon, apple-john, bat-fowling, beef-witted, belike
Opposite or contrasting words
modern phrasing, plain speech, everyday wording
Common questions
- What does fortnight mean? a period of two weeks.
- How do you pronounce fortnight? It is commonly pronounced FORT-night.
- Is fortnight still used today? Fortnight is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use fortnight? Use fortnight when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in historical fiction, mock-Elizabethan insults, and old-fashioned comic prose.
- What words are similar to fortnight? Similar words include anon, apple-john, bat-fowling, and beef-witted.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.