Hogmanay
Americannoun
-
the eve of New Year's Day.
-
(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.
He will put that energy to use later, saying that in recent years he has tended to stay in more often on Hogmanay.
From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2025
Al Thomson, co-director of Unique Assembly which produces Edinburgh Hogmanay, said: "Things are looking great. Looks like it might be a little bit blustery but we're confident everything will go ahead as planned."
From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2025
"It is something that we use to light up the dark Edinburgh nights," said Al Thomson, director of the Hogmanay festival.
From Barron's ● Dec. 30, 2025
Edinburgh's annual torchlight procession kicked off the Hogmanay celebrations on Monday night when thousands of people marched through the Meadows waving flaming torches, making their way to Edinburgh Castle.
From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2025
Hogmanay is the popular Scotch name for the last day of the year.
From Balder the Beautiful, Volume I. A Study in Magic and Religion: the Golden Bough, Part VII., The Fire-Festivals of Europe and the Doctrine of the External Soul by Sir James George Frazer
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.
