year

A year is 365 days long. We measure a year by the sun. It takes the earth exactly one year to go around the sun.

• There are 365 days in a year.
• There are 52 weeks in a year.
• The are 12 months in a year.

This word represents an important measurement of time, so its use is quite common.

• We had a good year this year.
• This has been a bad year.
• They’re having a rough year.
• What a year!

Use the word "year" when talking about age:

• She’s five years old.
• She’s a five-year-old child.
• She’s a five year old.
• He’s a thirty-five year old man.
• He’s been alive for thirty-five years.
• My car is eight years old.
• I’ve had my car for eight years.
• We’ve known each other for years. (years = many years)
• For years and years, Brian worked on his old house until it was finally remodeled.

The word "yearly" is an adjective and an adverb:

• They meet yearly to discuss their goals. (yearly = once a year)
• This event happens yearly.
• What’s your yearly salary? (yearly = annual)
• What do you make yearly? (yearly = annually)

Many people around the world like to ring in the new year with a party. (You can also say "bring in the new year."

Note: Some students have difficulty pronouncing the initial "y" sound in English. Click here to practice it.

Click here to learn more words.

This page was first published on December 27, 2013. It was updated on December 31, 2016.