February

UK: /ˈfɛbrʊəri/, /ˈfɛbjʊəri/

US: /ˈfɛbruˌɛri, ˈfɛbju-/

US: (feb′ro̅o̅ er′ē, feb′yo̅o̅-)

Inflections of 'February' (n): npl: Februaries

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

Feb•ru•ar•y /ˈfɛbruˌɛri, ˈfɛbyu-/   n. [proper noun* countable] , pl. -ar•ies. 

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

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

Feb•ru•ar•y  (feb′ro̅o̅ er′ē, feb′yo̅o̅-), n., pl. -ar•ies. 

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

• Latin Februārius (mēnsis) expiatory (month), der. of februa (plural) expiatory offerings; see -ary
• Old English Februarius bef. 1000; Middle English

Pronunciation

Many people try to pronounce February with both (r) sounds, as shown above. The common pronunciation (feb′yo̅o̅ er′ē), 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.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

February / ˈfɛbrʊərɪ/ noun ( -aries)

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

Etymology: 13th Century: from Latin Februārius mēnsis month of expiation, from februa Roman festival of purification held on February 15, from plural of februum a purgation