adj
olden
OHL-dn
Olden (adj) means belonging to an earlier, often romanticized, era; used mainly in the phrase "olden days". Example: “Grandad loved telling stories about the olden days.”
adj
1
Belonging to an earlier, often romanticized, era; used mainly in the phrase "olden days".
"Grandad loved telling stories about the olden days."
verb
1
To become old or take on an aged appearance.
"They were not worldly days; and so, as we olden with our passage through the world, they stay young, and we love them as pure youthful things are loved."
— John Ayscough, Saints and Places (1912)
"His face seemed to olden overnight after the news."
How to use olden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly poetic or old-fashioned way to say "of long ago" — mostly survives in the set phrase "the olden days".
When to use it
The adjective is mostly limited to "olden days/times"; the verb use is rare and literary.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- oldens
- Past tense
- oldened
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Grandad loved telling stories about the _____ days.
Etymology
From Middle English olden, originally a form of "old" that later came to be read as "old" plus the suffix "-en".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
youngen
Related words
Rhymes for olden
See all rhymes for olden →Frequently asked questions
What does “olden” mean?
The word “olden” means belonging to an earlier, often romanticized, era; used mainly in the phrase "olden days". In plain terms, a slightly poetic or old-fashioned way to say "of long ago" — mostly survives in the set phrase "the olden days".
How do you pronounce “olden”?
“Olden” is pronounced OHL-dn (/ˈoʊldn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “olden” in a sentence?
Here is “olden” used in a sentence: “Grandad loved telling stories about the olden days.”
What is another word for “olden”?
Words with a similar meaning to “olden” include historical and eldern.
What is the opposite of “olden”?
The opposite of “olden” — its antonyms — is youngen.
What part of speech is “olden”?
Depending on how it is used, “olden” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “olden” come from?
The word “olden” comes from Middle English. From Middle English olden, originally a form of "old" that later came to be read as "old" plus the suffix "-en".
How many meanings does “olden” have?
“Olden” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to an earlier, often romanticized, era; used mainly in the phrase "olden days".
