syne

[ sahyn ]

adverb, preposition, conjunctionScot. and North England.

Origin of syne

1
1300–50; Middle English (north) seine, syn, contraction of sethen since; see sith

Words Nearby syne

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use syne in a sentence

  • 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.

  • Mickle thocht we o' the gentles ayont the sea, an' sair grat we for a' frien's we kent lang syne in oor ain countree.

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

    The Relief of Mafeking | Filson Young
  • Ay, it micht mak them humble to see hoo foolish they are syne.

    A Window in Thrums | J. M. Barrie
  • "Weel, it's forty-one years syne come Michaelmas," said Jess.

    A Window in Thrums | J. M. Barrie

British Dictionary definitions for syne (1 of 2)

syne1

syn

/ (səɪn) /


adverb, preposition, conjunction
  1. a Scot word for since

Origin of syne

1
C14: probably related to Old English sīth since

British Dictionary definitions for syne (2 of 2)

syne2

synd

/ (səɪn) Scot /


verb
  1. (tr) to rinse; wash out

noun
  1. a rinse

Origin of syne

2
C14: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012