# auld

/ˈɔɫd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/auld
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. old

adjective · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a word for old, used mostly in Scotland and Ireland.

For teachers: A dialectal form of 'old' characteristic of Scots and Hiberno-English.

- We sang about the good auld days at the end of the party.
- The poet often wrote in Scots, using words like auld to evoke a sense of history and local identity.

Usage: Commonly found in fixed phrases like 'Auld Lang Syne' or 'auld enemy'.

Teaching tip: Most learners will only encounter this in the song 'Auld Lang Syne'; it is not used in standard British or American English.

## Examples

- The auld stone walls of the castle are very thick.
- The villagers gathered to hear the auld tales of the land passed down through generations.
- The auld traditions of the region remain deeply embedded in the local festivals, providing a vital link to the community's shared heritage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.