Hogmanay
Americannoun
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the eve of New Year's Day.
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(lowercase) a gift given on Hogmanay.
noun
Usage
What is Hogmanay?
Hogmanay is the Scottish term for New Year's Eve.
In Scotland, Hogmanay festivities often begin well before the day and in some places consist of several days of events, such as parades and nighttime processions, street parties, bonfires, and music and dance gatherings known as ceilidhs. For some, the celebration of Hogmanay rivals that of Christmas.
The holiday is associated with a number of customs, including the so-called first-foot traditions. In particular, according to Hogmanay tradition, a dark-haired man crossing the threshold of a house at midnight will bring good luck.
The word can also refer to a gift given on Hogmanay. When used in this sense, it’s often lowercase (hogmanay).
Etymology
Origin of Hogmanay
First recorded in 1670–80; origin uncertain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She went to her GP with her concerns, and after a battery of tests was diagnosed on Hogmanay 2023 with Alzheimer's.
From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026
In Edinburgh, tens of thousands of revellers from across the world will be attending the city's famous Hogmanay street party which culminates in the traditional firework display above Edinburgh Castle at midnight.
From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025
Hogmanay is the Scots term for New Year's Eve and is considered one of the most important holidays in the country, traditionally taking precedence over Christmas.
From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025
Around 15,000 participants, led by bagpipers, walked through the city's historic centre late Monday as Hogmanay festivities returned after being cancelled last year due to bad weather.
From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025
Rise up, gudewife, and shake your feathers, Dinna think that we are beggars, We're girls and boys come out to-day, For to get our Hogmanay, Hogmanay, trol-lol-lay.
From Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century by Napier, James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
