Friday
Friday
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "Friday" is /ˈfraɪdeɪ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
Fri-: /fraɪ/
-day: /deɪ/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: Friday
Plural Noun: Fridays (referring to multiple instances of the day)
Adverb: Friday (e.g., "The meeting is Friday.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The sixth day of the week, immediately preceding Saturday and traditionally considered the last day of the workweek in many cultures.
Synonyms: n/a (as it's a proper noun for a specific day)
Antonyms: n/a (as it's a proper noun for a specific day)
Definition 2: A specific instance of the sixth day of the week, often used to refer to an upcoming or past occurrence of that day.
Example: "We're going out this Friday."
Synonyms: n/a
Antonyms: n/a
Adverb
Definition 1: On Friday; happening or scheduled for the sixth day of the week.
Example: "The delivery will arrive Friday."
Synonyms: n/a
Antonyms: n/a
Examples of Use
Books:
"Robinson Crusoe spent his solitary years on the island, and then one day, he discovered the footprint, and eventually, met his companion, whom he named Friday." (Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe)
"Oh, my dear, I have been so dreadfully busy all week. But thank goodness, it's Friday tomorrow, and I shall have a moment's peace." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
Newspapers:
"The government announced new economic policies on Friday, aiming to stimulate growth in key sectors." (Associated Press, The New York Times, specific date will vary)
"Traffic is expected to be heavy on the roads this Friday as holidaymakers begin their long weekend." (The Guardian, specific date will vary)
Online Publications:
"Black Friday deals are already starting to pop up at major retailers, offering significant discounts on electronics and home goods." (Forbes.com, "Black Friday Deals Are Already Live At These Retailers," November 2024 - hypothetical future article based on recurring event)
"Our weekly roundup of the best new music releases always drops on Friday morning." (Pitchfork.com, "The Pitchfork Review," regular feature)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Is it Friday yet?" (Line from the movie Friday, 1995)
Television Series: "This week on 'The Great British Bake Off', the bakers face a challenging Friday technical challenge." (BBC One, The Great British Bake Off)
Music: "It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday." (Rebecca Black, "Friday," 2011)
Podcasts: "Join us next Friday for an in-depth discussion on the latest technological advancements." (Tech Talk Daily Podcast, regular episode outro)
Social Media: "Finally! It's Friday! What are your weekend plans? #TGIF #FridayFeeling" (Common user post on Twitter/X or Instagram)
Video Games: "Your next mission objective will be available starting Friday at 0900 hours." (In-game notification in a massively multiplayer online role-playing game - generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"Are you free for lunch on Friday?" (Common conversational query)
"I can't wait for Friday; I've got a long weekend ahead." (Everyday spoken language)
"We have a team meeting every Friday at 10 AM." (Workplace discussion)
10 Famous Quotes Using Friday
"I'd like to thank the Academy, my family, and most of all, it's Friday!" (Ice Cube, Friday movie line)
"Oh, my dear, I have been so dreadfully busy all week. But thank goodness, it's Friday tomorrow, and I shall have a moment's peace." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
"I have been a victim of Friday the 13th many times." (Lemony Snicket, The Carnivorous Carnival)
"Every day is a gift. But some gifts are better than others, like Friday." (Unknown)
"I am a firm believer in the fact that on Friday, anything can happen." (Taylor Swift, on her song "22")
"There is nothing more beautiful than a new day, a new start, and the knowledge that it's Friday." (Unknown)
"Life is a process of becoming, a series of changes and Friday is a good day to start something new." (Unknown)
"My Friday nights are for reading, writing, and sometimes a little bit of dancing." (Mindy Kaling, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns))
"It's Friday! Time to go make some stories for Monday." (Unknown)
"The only thing more exciting than the start of a new week is the end of an old one, especially when that end is a Friday." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "Friday" has a fascinating history rooted in ancient traditions of naming days after celestial bodies and their associated gods.
In simple terms, "Friday" comes from the Old English word "Frīġedæġ", which literally means "Frigg's day".
First Known Use and Meaning:
The concept of naming days of the week after gods and planets actually goes back to the Babylonians, and was later adopted by the Romans. The Romans had "dies Veneris," meaning "day of Venus," for the sixth day of their week.
When the Germanic tribes (from whom Old English developed) adopted the Roman seven-day week, they "translated" or "calqued" these names into their own language, associating their own gods with the Roman ones.
Frīġedæġ refers to Frigg, a prominent goddess in Norse mythology. She was the wife of Odin (from whom "Wednesday" comes) and was associated with married love, motherhood, and prophecy. The Germanic peoples saw similarities between Frigg and the Roman goddess Venus, who was the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
So, the first known use of "Friday" in Old English, "Frīġedæġ," meant "the day dedicated to Frigg," as a direct translation of the Roman "day of Venus." This usage dates back to before the 12th century. It signifies the sixth day of the week, specifically set aside in honor of this important Germanic goddess, just as the Romans honored Venus on the same day.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Friday
Thank God It's Friday (TGIF): An exclamation of relief and joy at the end of the work week.
Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving in the United States, traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season, known for significant sales.
Friday Feeling: The sense of anticipation, relief, and happiness associated with the end of the work week and the start of the weekend.
Friday Casuals: A workplace policy or tradition where employees are allowed to dress more casually on Fridays.
Friday Face: (Lesser-known) A tired or worn-out expression often seen at the end of a long work week.
Casual Friday: Similar to "Friday Casuals," referring to a day when more relaxed dress is permitted.
Friday Flashback: A social media trend where users post old photos or memories on Friday.
Friday Fun Day: (Original/Lesser-known) Referring to a day specifically set aside for enjoyable activities on a Friday.
Friday Fling: (Lesser-known/Original) A short, lighthearted romantic encounter that takes place on a Friday.
Friday Night Lights: Often refers to high school football games played on Friday evenings, especially in the US.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Friday from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
