February

[ feb-roo-er-ee, feb-��Ǵ�‑ ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural Februaries.

the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap years. : Feb.

February

/ ˈ��ɛ��ʊə��ɪ /

noun

the second month of the year, consisting of 28 or (in a leap year) 29 days

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Pronunciation Note

Many people try to pronounce February with both [r] sounds, as shown above. The common pronunciation [feb, -yoo-er-ee], with the first [r] replaced by [y], is the result of dissimilation, the tendency of like sounds to become unlike when they follow each other closely. An additional influence is analogy with January. Although sometimes criticized, this dissimilated pronunciation of February is used by educated speakers and is considered standard.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of February¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English Februarius < Latin Februārius (mēnsis) expiatory (month), derivative of februa (plural) expiatory offerings; -ary

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Word History and Origins

Origin of February¹

C13: from Latin Februārius mēnsis month of expiation, from februa Roman festival of purification held on February 15, from plural of februum a purgation

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He was initially jailed in February 2022 for 11 years and three months for dealing firearms which had been on Waugh's guns list.

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Benedict retired as Pope in February 2013 and his death nine years later, on 31 December 2022, was overtaken by the new year festivities.

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The agency sent Johnson approximately $64,138 in federal relief funds based on his fraudulent February claim.

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And yet in February 2022, it was President Putin who ordered Russian troops to invade a sovereign neighbouring country, to force it back into Moscow's orbit.

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Given the tensions between the two leaders, some diplomats said this might be no bad thing and could avoid the risk of a confrontation like that in the Oval Office in February.

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