noun Uncommon

yr

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Yr (noun) means a rune from the Old English runic alphabet (futhorc), representing the vowel sounds written today as "y.". Example: “The manuscript included the rune yr among its list of Old English letters.”

noun

A rune from the Old English runic alphabet (futhorc), representing the vowel sounds written today as "y."

"The manuscript included the rune yr among its list of Old English letters."

"The teacher showed us how the rune yr was carved on an old stone."

"In the poem, the letter yr appears beside the other futhorc runes."

How to use yr

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old runic letter used to write a particular vowel sound in Old English.

Common mistake

Not to be confused with the common abbreviation "yr" for "year" — that's a different, unrelated shorthand.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “yr” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The manuscript included the rune _____ among its list of Old English letters.

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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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year twelvemonth

Related words

year

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.

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