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Yesteryear: meaning, definitions and examples

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yesteryear

 

[ ˈjɛstərˌjɪr ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

past time

Yesteryear refers to a time in the past, often evoking nostalgia or a sense of longing for days gone by. It is typically used to describe a period that is fondly remembered or idealized.

Synonyms

bygone days, former days, past, previous year

Examples of usage

  • The movies of yesteryear had a charm that modern films often lack.
  • Yesteryear's fashion is making a comeback in today's trends.
  • Many people enjoy reminiscing about yesteryear during family gatherings.
  • Songs from yesteryear often resonate more deeply than contemporary music.

Translations

Translations of the word "yesteryear" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ano passado

🇮🇳 पिछला वर्ष

🇩🇪 Vorjahr

🇮🇩 tahun lalu

🇺🇦 минуле

🇵🇱 ubiegły rok

🇯🇵 昨年

🇫🇷 année précédente

🇪🇸 año pasado

🇹🇷 geçen yıl

🇰🇷 작년

🇸🇦 العام الماضي

🇨🇿 minulý rok

🇸🇰 minulý rok

🇨🇳 去年

🇸🇮 prejšnje leto

🇮🇸 síðasta ár

🇰🇿 өткен жыл

🇬🇪 წინა წელი

🇦🇿 keçən il

🇲🇽 año pasado

Etymology

The word 'yesteryear' is a compound of 'yester', meaning 'previous' or 'earlier', and 'year'. It originated in the late 19th century and reflects English speakers’ nostalgia for the past. 'Yester' itself comes from Middle English, derived from Old English 'gēostran', which means 'yesterday'. The term has been used in literature and popular culture to evoke a sense of nostalgia and remembrance, often appearing in songs, poetry, and stories that reflect on times gone by. Over time, 'yesteryear' has retained its charm and is still used today to conjure images of a bygone era.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,666 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.