# monthly

/ˈmənθɫi/ (US) · /mˈʌnθli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monthly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 3. a magazine

noun · CEFR B1

a magazine that comes out once every month.

For teachers: a periodical publication issued once a month.

- She writes a regular column for a popular fashion monthly.
- While many dailies are struggling, this high-end monthly has maintained a loyal readership through its long-form investigative journalism.

### 4. menstrual period

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a polite or indirect way to talk about a woman's period.

For teachers: a euphemistic reference to the menstrual cycle.

- She was feeling quite tired because her monthly had just started.
- In many traditional households, women used coded language like 'my monthly' to discuss their health without causing social discomfort.

Usage: Usually used with a possessive pronoun like 'her' or 'my'.

Teaching tip: This is a euphemism; while common in older or more modest contexts, modern speakers often use the word 'period' directly.

## Examples

- She buys a popular fashion monthly at the train station.
- The editor decided to transition the publication from a weekly newspaper to a high-quality glossy monthly.
- While the digital edition attracts more daily traffic, the print monthly remains the primary vehicle for the magazine's long-form investigative journalism and high-end photography.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.