yesteryear

[yes-ter-yeer, -yeer]

noun

1. last year.

2. the recent years; time not long past.

adverb

1. during time not long past.

yesteryear

/ ˈjɛstəˌjɪə /

noun

1. last year or the past in general

adverb

1. during last year or the past in general

Word History and Origins

Origin of yesteryear¹

yester- + year; apparently introduced by D.G. Rossetti (1870) to render Middle French antan (Villon)

Example Sentences

Tapping into the craft revival of yesteryear speaks to a cyclical impulse for structure amid the chaos of now.

From Los Angeles Times

But how the U.S. government frames our yesteryear is one of this administration’s main battlefronts and something I’ve repeatedly warned about in my columna.

From Los Angeles Times

But now that they have a full-fledged demagogue and cult leader running the country, it appears the American right is no longer interested in conservative Christian leaders of yesteryear.

From Salon

When you have the same financial obligations of yesteryear but less tax revenue to operate with, there will be shortfalls.

From Los Angeles Times

Props to the robber barons of yesteryear — at least they had style.

From Salon