English Reference
noun · verb · adjective

weekend

n. · v. · adj.
US /ˈwiˌkɛnd/ UK /wiːkˈɛnd/ week·end UK spelling weekend's, weekend's, weekended, weekending

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.the two days of the week when most people do not work, usually Saturday and Sunday.

    n.the period from Friday evening through Sunday evening, traditionally reserved for rest or recreation.

    Simple

    We are going to visit my parents this weekend if the weather is nice.

    In context

    The city centre is usually crowded during the weekend as people flock to the markets and cafes for leisure.

    Pitfall
    I will see you in the weekend. I will see you at the weekend.

    In British English, use 'at the weekend'. In American English, 'on the weekend' is standard. Avoid using 'in'.

    weekdayworkweek
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    v.to stay somewhere or do something for the duration of a weekend.

    v.to pass the weekend in a specific location or manner. Intransitive use.

    Simple

    They often weekend at their small cottage by the sea.

    In context

    The family has traditionally weekended in the Hamptons to escape the stifling heat of the city during July and August.

  3. 03 A2 Elementary

    adj.describing something that happens or is used only on Saturdays and Sundays.

    adj.pertaining to or occurring during the weekend; typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.

    Simple

    He has a weekend job at the local supermarket to earn extra money.

    In context

    The gallery is currently looking for a weekend assistant to manage the increased volume of visitors on Saturdays.


From week + end. Originally a Northern England regionalism (see 1903 quotation), in more general use from late 19th century. Compare Saterland Frisian Wiekeneende (“weekend”), West Frisian wykein (“weekend”), Dutch weekeinde (“weekend”), German Low German Wekenenn (“weekend”), German Wochenende (“weekend”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated