olden

adjective

old·​en ˈōl-dən How to pronounce olden (audio)
: of or relating to a bygone era

Examples of olden in a Sentence

What was life like in the olden days?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike in the less-than-golden olden days, people cannot stuff ballot boxes or toss them into the river because ballots are tracked and voters are notified when their vote is cast. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2025 In the olden days, a journalist might have pressed Sinner, hopeful of getting that first quote. Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025 In ye olden days, one building was Boston’s main grain-storage warehouse. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025 Whilst the revels did flourish, Freeman labored upon his own grand design — the fair Castle Gwynn, a stone bastion of olden style, rising proudly across from the fields of festivity in Arrington. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for olden

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of olden was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Olden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olden. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

olden

adjective
old·​en ˈōl-dən How to pronounce olden (audio)
: of or relating to earlier days

More from Merriam-Webster on olden

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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