Annual vs. Yearly — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
"Annual" and "yearly" both refer to events or actions that happen once a year. While they are largely synonymous, "annual" is often used in more formal contexts and "yearly" in more casual settings.
Difference Between Annual and Yearly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The terms "annual" and "yearly" both signify occurrences, actions, or calculations that happen once every year. "Annual" is often used in more formal or technical contexts such as financial reports, scientific publications, and legal documents. "Yearly," while essentially synonymous with "annual," is generally considered to be more casual and is commonly used in everyday language.
In business, you're more likely to encounter the term "annual" when discussing reports, meetings, or audits. For instance, a corporation may hold an "annual general meeting" or release an "annual report." "Yearly," on the other hand, might be used in less formal business settings, like when a manager talks about "yearly performance reviews" with employees.
In personal finances, the term "annual" often appears to denote rates or calculations. For example, people discuss "annual percentage rates" (APRs) for loans or credit cards. "Yearly," conversely, might be used to describe habits or occurrences that are less formal, such as a "yearly family gathering" or a "yearly check-up at the doctor."
When referring to publications or events, "annual" typically graces the titles of scholarly journals or conferences. You'll often hear of the "Annual Conference of Experts in Field X." "Yearly," however, might be used to describe community events or personal traditions. For instance, one might say they go on a "yearly fishing trip" every summer.
Comparison Chart
Formality
More formal
Less formal
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Common Usage
Business, academia
Everyday language
Examples
Annual report, annual meeting
Yearly gathering, yearly check-up
Grammatical Form
Adjective, noun
Adjective, adverb
Preferred Context
Technical, official documents
Casual conversations
Compare with Definitions
Annual
Annual can also function as a noun, such as in "the annual."
The society published its annual to update members on yearly activities.
Yearly
Yearly is often associated with personal and familial events.
Our yearly family reunion is coming up.
Annual
Annual is often used in formal or technical contexts.
The annual report summarizes the company's financial performance.
Yearly
Yearly can refer to calculations made over a one-year period.
The yearly total came to $1200.
Annual
Annual refers to events or actions that occur once every year.
The annual convention gathers experts from around the world.
Yearly
Yearly means occurring once a year.
Our yearly picnic is always a fun event.
Annual
Annual can also refer to plants that complete their lifecycle in one year.
Corn is an annual plant.
Yearly
Yearly can function as both an adjective and an adverb.
We go there yearly.
Annual
Annual is frequently used in financial terms, like annual percentage rate (APR).
The loan comes with an annual interest rate of 5%.
Yearly
Happening or produced once a year or every year
Yearly visits to Africa
Rent was paid yearly
Annual
Recurring, done, or performed every year; yearly
An annual medical examination.
Yearly
Happening or produced once a year or every year
Rent was paid yearly
Yearly visits to Africa
Annual
Of, relating to, or determined by a year
An annual income.
Yearly
Occurring once a year or every year.
Annual
(Botany) Living or growing for only one year or season.
Yearly
Once a year; annually.
Annual
A periodical published yearly; a yearbook.
Yearly
A publication issued once a year.
Annual
(Botany) A plant that completes its entire life cycle in a single growing season.
Yearly
Happening once every year.
Christmas is a yearly celebration.
We deep-clean the kitchen on a yearly basis.
Annual
Happening once every year.
An annual general meeting;
An annual publication
Yearly
Over the course of one year
A yearly income
Annual
Of, for, or relating to a whole year, often as a recurring cycle; determined or reckoned by the year; accumulating in the course of a year; performed, executed, or completed over the course of a year. See also circannual.
An annual salary;
Average annual profits;
The annual course of the sun
Yearly
Once a year.
Annual
Having a life cycle that is completed in only one growing season; e.g. beans, corn, marigold. See Annual plant in Wikipedia. Compare biennial, perennial.
Yearly
Every year.
Annual
(entomology) Living or lasting just one season or year, as certain insects or insect colonies.
Yearly
Something that is published once a year.
Annual
An annual publication; a book, periodical, journal, report, comic book, yearbook, etc., which is published serially once a year, which may or may not be in addition to regular weekly or monthly publication.
I read the magazine, but I usually don't purchase the annuals.
Yearly
Happening, accruing, or coming every year; annual; as, a yearly income; a yearly feast.
Annual
(botany) An annual plant; a plant with a life span of just one growing season; a plant which naturally germinates, flowers and dies in one year. Compare biennial, perennial.
I can't wait to plant my annuals in the spring.
Yearly
Lasting a year; as, a yearly plant.
Annual
A medical checkup taking place once a year.
Yearly
Accomplished in a year; as, the yearly circuit, or revolution, of the earth.
Annual
(theater) A pantomime taking place once a year.
Yearly
Annually; once a year to year; as, blessings yearly bestowed.
Yearly will I do this rite.
Annual
Of or pertaining to a year; returning every year; coming or happening once in the year; yearly.
The annual overflowing of the river [Nile].
Yearly
Occurring or payable every year;
An annual trip to Paris
Yearly medical examinations
Annual (or yearly) income
Annual
Performed or accomplished in a year; reckoned by the year; as, the annual motion of the earth.
A thousand pound a year, annual support.
Yearly
Without missing a year;
They travel to China annually
Annual
Lasting or continuing only one year or one growing season; requiring to be renewed every year; as, an annual plant; annual tickets.
Yearly
Yearly is commonly used in casual conversations and settings.
I do a yearly spring cleaning of my home.
Annual
A thing happening or returning yearly; esp. a literary work published once a year.
Annual
Anything, especially a plant, that lasts but one year or season; an annual plant.
Oaths . . . in some sense almost annuals; . . . and I myself can remember about forty different sets.
Annual
A Mass for a deceased person or for some special object, said daily for a year or on the anniversary day.
Annual
A plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
Annual
A reference book that is published regularly once every year
Annual
Occurring or payable every year;
An annual trip to Paris
Yearly medical examinations
Annual (or yearly) income
Annual
Completing its life cycle within a year;
A border of annual flowering plants
The common buttercup is a popular perennial plant
Common Curiosities
Can "annual" also refer to plants?
Yes, "annual" can describe plants that complete their lifecycle in one year.
Can "yearly" function as an adverb?
Yes, "yearly" can function as both an adjective and an adverb.
What does "yearly" mean?
Yearly also means occurring once a year, but is often used in more casual settings.
What does "annual" mean?
Annual refers to events or actions that occur once every year.
Where is "yearly" commonly used?
"Yearly" is often used in everyday language and casual conversations.
Is "yearly" used in financial contexts?
While "yearly" can be used in financial settings, "annual" is more common for formal financial terms.
Can "annual" function as an adverb?
No, "annual" is typically used only as an adjective or a noun.
Are "annual" and "yearly" interchangeable?
They are largely synonymous but differ in formality and common usage.
Is "annual" more formal than "yearly"?
Yes, "annual" is generally considered to be more formal than "yearly."
Where is "annual" commonly used?
"Annual" is commonly used in formal contexts like business and academia.
Can "annual" be used as a noun?
Yes, "annual" can also function as a noun, often in publications like "the annual."
Is "annual" used in scientific publications?
Yes, "annual" often appears in scientific and technical documents.
Is "yearly" used in scholarly work?
While possible, "yearly" is less commonly found in scholarly work compared to "annual."
What are some examples of "annual" usage?
Examples include "annual report," "annual meeting," and "annual convention."
What are some examples of "yearly" usage?
Examples include "yearly gathering," "yearly check-up," and "yearly picnic."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
