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
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
"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
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
The last halfpenny was a special aggravation, strolling about, just out of reach, with all the swagger of sixpence, but at last Elspeth had it, and after that, the sooner Hogmanay came the better.
From Sentimental Tommy The Story of His Boyhood by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)
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.
