Meaning & Definition of word "Olden"

Olden

/ˈoʊldən/

adjective:

  • 1. Belonging to or characteristic of a past time; ancient or archaic.
    • Example: The olden traditions of the village are still celebrated every year.
  • 2. Referring to an era long ago; often imbued with nostalgia.
    • Example: In the olden days, people communicated through letters rather than emails.
  • 3. Having the quality of age; often associated with antiquity.
    • Example: The olden artifacts discovered at the site provide insights into ancient civilizations.

Etymology

Middle English 'olden' derives from 'old' + '-en' (an adjectival suffix).

Common Phrases and Expressions

olden times:

A reference to a time long past, often romanticized.

olden days:

A nostalgic term for a bygone era.

Related Words

old:

Having existed for a long time; not new.

antique:

An object that is old and often valuable due to its age.

Slang Meanings of olden

Meaning: Throwback

Example Sentence: That movie is such a throwback to the olden days.

Meaning: Retro

Example Sentence: Her style is very retro, reminiscent of olden fashion.