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Friday

Friday is a day of the week between Thursday and Saturday.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Friday is a day of the week between Thursday and Saturday. In ISO 8601 and in countries that use a Monday-first week, it is the fifth day of the week; in Sunday-first systems, it is commonly the sixth day. It is also the final weekday in many Western work schedules and the first day of the weekend in some countries.

Calendar position

Friday is a weekday placed between Thursday and Saturday. Under ISO 8601 and Monday-first conventions it is the fifth day of the week, while Sunday-first systems often count it as the sixth.

Cultural and social use

In many countries Friday marks the end of the workweek and is associated with leisure, weekend plans, and expressions such as 'Thank God It's Friday'. In some regions, Friday and Saturday form the weekend.

Religious significance

Friday is important in Islam, where it is the day of congregational prayer, and in Christianity, where Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. Some other faith traditions also treat Friday as a day of rest or observance.

Name and etymology

The English word Friday comes from Old English and is traditionally understood as 'day of Frigg', referring to the Germanic goddess Frigg. Related etymologies also connect the day-name to the Roman day of Venus through older translation traditions.

Key facts

  • Friday comes after Thursday and before Saturday.
  • Week numbering for Friday varies by convention and calendar system.
  • In many Western countries, Friday is the last weekday and is associated with the start of the weekend.
  • Friday has religious significance in Islam as a day of communal prayer and in Christianity through Good Friday.
  • The English name is traditionally linked to Frigg, a Germanic goddess, through Old English.
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Canadian context

In Canada, Friday is commonly treated as the last weekday and the start of the weekend in everyday life and work schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What day comes after Friday?
Saturday comes after Friday.
What day comes before Friday?
Thursday comes before Friday.
Is Friday the fifth or sixth day of the week?
It depends on the convention: fifth in ISO 8601 and Monday-first systems, sixth in Sunday-first systems.
Why is Friday important in Islam?
Friday is the day of communal prayer, including Jumu'ah at the mosque.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter in the Christian calendar and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
Where does the name Friday come from?
The English name is traditionally derived from Old English and linked to Frigg, a Germanic goddess.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday
    Supports: Day order, weekday conventions, cultural and religious associations, and etymology summary.
  2. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Friday
    Supports: Definition of Friday as the sixth day of the week.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/friday
    Supports: Definition of Friday as the day after Thursday and before Saturday.
  4. timeanddate.com — https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/days/friday.html
    Supports: ISO 8601 weekday position, cultural observances, and religious significance.
  5. Etymonline — https://www.etymonline.com/word/Friday
    Supports: Etymology of Friday from Old English and association with Frigg.