periodical
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A publication issued at regular intervals, such as a magazine or journal, containing articles, stories, or other content.
Describing something that occurs or appears at regular intervals; published at fixed times.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
When used as a noun, it's a hypernym for magazines, journals, newsletters, etc. As an adjective, it often describes events, publications, or inspections that recur at set times.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference in usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in everyday speech in both varieties; more common in written/academic contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in formal writing in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N: publish a periodicalAdj: periodical inspectionsV: appear as a periodicalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A periodical piece of mind (rare, literary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to industry reports or trade magazines published regularly.
Academic
Standard term for peer-reviewed journals issued at intervals.
Everyday
Less common; usually replaced by 'magazine' or 'journal'.
Technical
Used in library science and publishing for categorising serial publications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee periodicalises its reports for transparency.
- The journal periodicalises its special issues.
American English
- The committee periodicalizes its reports for transparency.
- The journal periodicalizes its special issues.
adverb
British English
- The data is updated periodical, every quarter.
- Meetings are held periodical to review progress.
American English
- The data is updated periodically, every quarter.
- Meetings are held periodically to review progress.
adjective
British English
- The library conducts periodical audits of its collection.
- She receives periodical updates from head office.
American English
- The library conducts periodic audits of its collection.
- She receives periodic updates from headquarters.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I read a periodical about animals.
- The periodical comes every month.
- The university library subscribes to many scientific periodicals.
- We receive periodical reports from the project team.
- Her article was published in a respected academic periodical.
- The council carries out periodical reviews of its policies.
- The proliferation of digital periodicals has transformed the publishing industry.
- Periodical fluctuations in the data suggest a seasonal pattern.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think PERIOD + ICAL. A periodical arrives after a specific PERIOD of time (weekly, monthly).
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME AS A CYCLE (regular intervals as points on a repeating circle).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'periodicheskiy' meaning 'occasionally' in casual speech.
- In Russian, 'periodical' as a noun is usually translated as 'zhurnal' (журнал) or 'periodicheskoye izdaniye' (периодическое издание).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'periodic' instead of 'periodical' for publications (e.g., 'He writes for a periodic' is wrong).
- Confusing 'periodical' with 'periodic table' in scientific contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a periodical?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Periodic' is an adjective meaning occurring at intervals. 'Periodical' can be an adjective with the same meaning, but is more commonly used as a noun meaning a publication issued at regular intervals (e.g., a magazine).
Yes, technically, as it is published at regular intervals (daily, weekly). However, in common usage, 'periodical' often refers to less frequent publications like magazines or journals, while 'newspaper' is a more specific term.
Rarely and somewhat archaically. The standard adverb is 'periodically'.
To disseminate new research, scholarly articles, and reviews within a specific field at regular intervals, facilitating the ongoing exchange of knowledge.