bygone

American  

[bahy-gawn, -gon] / ˈbaɪˌgɔn, -ˌgɒn /

adjective

1. past; gone by; earlier; former.

   The faded photograph brought memories of bygone days.

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noun

1. Usually bygones. that which is past.

   Let's not talk of bygones.

idioms

1. let bygones be bygones, to decide to forget past disagreements; become reconciled.

   Let's let bygones be bygones and be friends again.

bygone British  

/ ˈbaɪˌɡɒn /

adjective

1. (usually prenominal) past; former

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noun

1. (often plural) a past occurrence

2. (often plural) an artefact, implement, etc, of former domestic or industrial use, now often collected for interest

3. to agree to forget past quarrels

Etymology

Origin of bygone

1375–1425; late Middle English (north) by-gane; see gone, by

Explanation

The adjective bygone is good for describing long-ago times. Your grandparents might enjoy looking at old photo albums and reminiscing about bygone days. A bygone era happened in the distant past, and a bygone sweetheart is an early romantic interest remembered by someone who's since lived a long life. You're most likely to see the phrase "bygone days" being used in a nostalgic way. If someone says, "Let bygones be bygones," they want to make up for long-ago slights and arguments, leaving them in the past where they belong.

Example Sentences

The workings of history often seem inevitable: Bygone decisions appear inescapable, and the viability of alternate pathways easily discounted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

Bygone eras called this moxie; whatever you’d call it now, its fuel jets Jessica across the Atlantic to take a job in London with her hairless, loll-tongued doggie in tow.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2025

I knew about the recent glut of feminist biographies for young readers—your Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, your Bygone Badass Broads.

From Slate • Oct. 7, 2019

Bygone glories rehashed with a touch of self-awareness — these are the rituals for many an aging rocker nearing the end of his career.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2014

We may Bygone Eras of royal origin. mention them, without giving them the detailed treatment which the more important of the still existing reckonings demand.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various