twicemonthly

Twicemonthly is a nonstandard compound formed from twice and monthly. It is used informally to describe a frequency that is unclear in meaning: it may denote twice per calendar month or once every two months. Because of this ambiguity, its interpretation depends on the context and the intention of the writer.

Major dictionaries do not consistently recognize twicemonthly as a standard term, and most style guides favor clearer phrases. Common preferred expressions are "twice a month" for the first meaning, or "every two months" for the second. Some writers also use "semimonthly" to indicate twice per month, though that term can be ambiguous as well, depending on regional or organizational usage.

For precision, many organizations spell out the schedule instead of relying on a hybrid word. Examples include specifying exact payment dates such as the 1st and 15th of each month, or describing cadence as "every other month," "bimonthly," or "quarterly" as appropriate. In publishing, payroll, and contracting, explicit timing helps avoid misinterpretation that could arise from the term twicemonthly.

Overall, twicemonthly is not widely adopted in formal writing. When clarity is essential, it is best to use explicit phrases or provide a definition at the outset of a document.