February

noun

Feb·​ru·​ary ˈfe-b(y)ə-ˌwer-ē  ˈfe-brə- 

plural Februaries or Februarys

: the second month of the Gregorian calendar

How do you pronounce February?: Usage Guide

Dissimilation may occur when a word contains two identical or closely related sounds, resulting in the change or loss of one of them. This happens regularly in February, which is more often pronounced \ˈfe-b(y)ə-ˌwer-ē\ than \ˈfe-brə-ˌwer-ē\, though all of these variants are in frequent use and widely accepted. The \y\ heard from many speakers is not an intrusion but rather a common pronunciation of the vowel u after a consonant, as in January and annual.

Examples of February in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This was about the Phoenix Suns coming to a realization that their current mix does not work and that this (and potentially February’s NBA trading deadline) is a last chance to get anything of value ahead of Kevin’s potential free agency next summer. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025

Phoenix explored moving Beal in February but never came close to making a deal. —Kelly Iko, New York Times, 22 June 2025

The to-be junior with a three-star rating pledged to Boston College in February, with Minnesota offering on May 1. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 June 2025

In February, a notable UC Berkeley professor, Michael Burawoy, was killed in an SUV hit-and-run inside a crosswalk at Grand Avenue and Park View Terrace, a tragic blow to both the sociology community and to local advocates for safer streets. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Februarie, from Old English Februarius, from Latin, from Februa, plural, feast of purification

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for February

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

February

noun

Feb·​ru·​ary ˈfeb-(y)ə-ˌwer-ē  ˈfeb-rə- 

: the second month of the year

Etymology

Old English Februarius "February," from Latin Februarius "February," literally, "of Februa," from Februa "feast of cleansing"

Word Origin

Every winter the ancient Romans would celebrate a festival of spiritual cleansing. The name of the festival was Februa. Because of its importance the Romans named the month in which it fell Februarius, which means "of Februa." The English name February comes from the Latin Februarius.