yr
2 synonyms for yr, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A rune from the Old English runic alphabet (futhorc), representing the vowel sounds written today as "y."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
twelvemonth
Etymology
A learned borrowing of the Old English rune name ȳr, whose exact original meaning is uncertain, though it may be linked to "yew" or a bow made of yew wood.
Full origin of yr →Frequently asked questions
What does “yr” mean?
The word “yr” means a rune from the Old English runic alphabet (futhorc), representing the vowel sounds written today as "y.". In plain terms, an old runic letter used to write a particular vowel sound in Old English.
How do you pronounce “yr”?
“Yr” is pronounced yr (/yːr/ in IPA).
How do you use “yr” in a sentence?
Here is “yr” used in a sentence: “The manuscript included the rune yr among its list of Old English letters.”
What part of speech is “yr”?
“Yr” is a noun.
Where does the word “yr” come from?
The word “yr” comes from Old English. A learned borrowing of the Old English rune name ȳr, whose exact original meaning is uncertain, though it may be linked to "yew" or a bow made of yew wood.
Is “yr” a common word?
“Yr” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is yr the same as the abbreviation for "year"?
No, as a dictionary headword here, yr refers to a rune from the Old English runic alphabet (futhorc) representing the vowel sounds written today as "y." The common informal abbreviation "yr" for "year" or "your" is a separate, unrelated usage in modern texting and shorthand.
What sound does the rune yr represent?
The rune yr represents the vowel sounds that are written as "y" in modern English spelling. It belongs to the Old English runic alphabet known as futhorc.
Where would you encounter the rune yr today?
You would most likely encounter the rune yr in studies of Old English, runology, or historical linguistics, since runic alphabets like futhorc are no longer in everyday use.
