Semiannually

Semiannually is an adverb describing something that occurs twice in a year or at six-month intervals. The corresponding adjective is semiannual (or semi-annual). The term comes from the Latin semi- meaning half and annus meaning year. Spelling variants include semiannual and semi-annual, with semiannually used for the adverb.

In finance and business, semiannual schedules are common. For example, many bonds pay coupon interest semiannually, so the annual rate is divided into two payments each year (for a 6 percent annual coupon, 3 percent is paid every six months). The concept also appears with dividends, licenses, and reports issued on a six-month cycle. In non-financial contexts, a company might publish semiannual financial statements or offer semiannual subscriptions or rent payments.

Usage and clarity notes: To avoid ambiguity, some writers prefer the phrases “twice a year” or “every six months” instead of semiannual. The term biannual is sometimes used but can be unclear, as it may be interpreted as either twice per year or every two years (the latter is biennial). In British English, half-yearly is a common equivalent, whereas semiannual is more typical in American usage.

In summary, semiannually denotes a six-month interval occurring twice within a year, with various stylistic variants and regional preferences. In specialized contexts, explicit phrasing is often preferred to prevent misinterpretation.