Words / B1

AN-yoo-uh-lee/ˈænjuəli/

Annually means once a year: tested annually; paid annually. Annual is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Yearly is a close twin; every year is everyday. Per annum is the Latin formal twin on contracts. Do not use annually for something that happens twice a year — that is twice a year / biannually (careful: biannual is ambiguous).

Meaning

Once every year.

Examples

• “The fire alarms are tested annually, usually in September.”
• “Smoke alarms in the block are tested annually.”
• “The prize is awarded annually, not every term.”

Good to know

tested / reviewed / paid annually. Adjective: annual. Everyday: every year. Formal: per annum. Not twice a year.

Near in meaning

yearly

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