auld

Everyday

1. (Scottish, dialect) Old. tree →
2. In «Auld Lang Syne»: a Scottish song by Robert Burns, meaning «old long since», days long ago. tree →

In the lessons

A Scots word heard in songs, poems and in Scotland and Northern Ireland. «Auld Lang Syne» is sung at New Year (Hogmanay) all over the English-speaking world, holding hands in a circle. «Auld Reekie» («Old Smoky») is a nickname for Edinburgh.

Examples

• We sang «Auld Lang Syne» at midnight. tree →
• «My auld granny lives in Aberdeen,» said Hamish. tree →
• Robert Burns wrote in Scots words like «auld». tree →
• The auld castle stood on the hill. tree →
• Edinburgh is called Auld Reekie. tree →
• Should auld acquaintance be forgot? tree →
• And he gaed into the castle for shelter, and there he saw an auld wife sitting beside the kitchen fire. tree →

Note

Scottish form of «old»; not used in standard English writing except in songs and Scots speech. Say «awld».