Olden: meaning, definitions and examples

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olden

 

[ ˈəʊldən ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

literature

Belonging to or originating from the distant past; ancient.

Synonyms

ancient, antique, historic.

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Word Description / Examples
olden

This word is often used in a poetic or nostalgic sense to refer to a period long ago, typically in a romanticized or sentimental way.

  • In the olden days, knights would fight for honor
  • The village has kept many traditions from the olden times
ancient

This word refers to something from a very long time ago, typically several centuries or millennia. It's often used in historical or archaeological contexts.

  • The ancient ruins of Rome attract many tourists
  • Ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia have left a significant legacy
historic

This word refers to something significant in history, often associated with important events or landmarks.

  • The city has many historic buildings
  • The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a historic event
antique

This word is used for objects that are old and often valuable or collectible, usually more than 100 years old.

  • She loves to collect antique furniture
  • The antique vase was worth a fortune

Examples of usage

  • The olden days of chivalry and knights.
  • In the olden times, people used to travel by horse and carriage.
  • The olden traditions of the indigenous tribes are still practiced today.
Context #2 | Adjective

informal

Belonging to or characteristic of a past era, especially in a nostalgic or romanticized way.

Synonyms

nostalgic, retro, romanticized.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
olden

Used to describe a past time that is often perceived as being better or more idyllic than the present.

  • In the olden days, people used to communicate through handwritten letters.
  • The traditions from the olden times have long been forgotten.
nostalgic

Used to express a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, usually with happy personal memories.

  • Listening to that song makes me feel nostalgic for my teenage years.
  • She often gets nostalgic when she sees old photographs of her family.
romanticized

Used to describe a view of the past that is overly idealized or seen in a more positive light than it actually was, often ignoring negative aspects.

  • The movie romanticized the hardships of the pioneers, making it seem more glamorous than it was.
  • He tends to romanticize his childhood, forgetting the tough times his family went through.
retro

Used to refer to styles or fashions from the recent past that are being revived or imitated, often with a sense of style or coolness.

  • Her outfit has a retro vibe with those bell-bottom jeans and platform shoes.
  • They are planning to decorate their house with retro furniture from the 1970s.

Examples of usage

  • She wore an olden style dress to the retro party.
  • The olden charm of the historic house attracted many visitors.
  • He longed for the olden days of his youth.

Translations

Translations of the word "olden" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antigo

🇮🇳 पुराना

🇩🇪 alt

🇮🇩 tua

🇺🇦 старий

🇵🇱 stary

🇯🇵 古い (furui)

🇫🇷 ancien

🇪🇸 antiguo

🇹🇷 eski

🇰🇷 오래된 (oraedoen)

🇸🇦 قديم

🇨🇿 starý

🇸🇰 starý

🇨🇳 古老的 (gǔlǎo de)

🇸🇮 star

🇮🇸 gamall

🇰🇿 ескі

🇬🇪 ძველი

🇦🇿 köhnə

🇲🇽 antiguo

Etymology

The word 'olden' originated from Middle English 'oldene' which is the inflected form of 'old'. It has been used in literature and informal contexts to refer to the distant past or a past era, often with a sense of nostalgia or romanticism.

See also: old, older, oldness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,792, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.