auld lang syne

[ awld lang zahyn, sahyn ]

noun

, Scot. and North England.

1. old times, especially times fondly remembered.
2. old or long friendship.

auld lang syne

/ ˈzaɪn; ˈsaɪn; ˈɔːld læŋ ˈsəɪn /

noun

1. old times; times past, esp those remembered with affection or nostalgia

“Auld Lang Syne”

1. A traditional Scottish song, customarily sung on New Year's Eve; the title means “Time Long Past.” The words, passed down orally, were recorded by the eighteenth-century poet Robert Burns . The song begins:

   Should auld [old] acquaintance be forgot,

   And never brought to min'?

   Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

   And auld lang syne!

Word History and Origins

Origin of auld lang syne¹

First recorded in 1660–80; from Scots: literally, “old long since,” i.e., “old long-ago (days)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of auld lang syne¹

Scottish, literally: old long since

Example Sentences

Auld lang syne” is Scottish-Gaelic for “old long since,” or, more idiomatically, “days gone by” or “time long past.

From The Daily Beast

Take this verse by famous Scottish poet Robert Burns in his famous Scottish poem “Auld Lang Syne.”

From The Daily Beast

When she stands by the bedside of a dying Victor McLaglen and sings “Auld Lang Syne,” it is an occasion for real tears.

From The Daily Beast

New Years means Champagne, “Auld Lang Syne,” and good college football.

From The Daily Beast

But it was a time for everybody to join hands as we did on formerly Air Force One and sing "Auld Lang Syne."

From The Daily Beast

I'm thinking—I'll just come—and cuik till ye a wee—for auld lang syne—thretty schelln the day—an' ye'll buy the flesh o' me.

From Project Gutenberg

As the ship began to move a band on the shade-deck struck up "Auld Lang Syne," and immediately the floodgates were unlocked.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Auld Lang Syne was sung, and the men of various units played to their billets by their pipers.

From Project Gutenberg

Old affections sprang up anew between my friend and myself as we talked of auld lang syne.

From Project Gutenberg

I took a ramble outside the old city, and called on young friends; and so caught glimpses touching borders of auld lang syne.

From Project Gutenberg