auld lang syne

American  

[awld lang zahyn, sahyn] / ˈɔld læŋ ˈzaɪn, ˈsaɪn /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. old times, especially times fondly remembered.

2. old or long friendship.

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auld lang syne British  

/ ˈɔːld læŋ ˈsəɪn, ˈzaɪn, ˈsaɪn /

noun

1. old times; times past, esp those remembered with affection or nostalgia

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“Auld Lang Syne” Cultural  

1. A traditional Scottish song, customarily sung on New Year's Eve; the title means “Time Long Past.” The words, passed down orally, were recorded by the eighteenth-century poet Robert Burns. The song begins:

   Should auld [old] acquaintance be forgot,

   And never brought to min'?

   Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

   And auld lang syne!

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Etymology

Origin of auld lang syne

First recorded in 1660–80; from Scots: literally, “old long since,” i.e., “old long-ago (days)”

Example Sentences

In English, auld lang syne roughly means “times long past.”

From National Geographic • Dec. 27, 2023

As you might guess, each box brought to mind old acquaintances — friends, colleagues and reviewers — who, like the days of auld lang syne themselves, can never be forgot.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2020

I’ve been talking, in this season of auld lang syne, with older people who have formed friendships late in life.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2016

In the spirit of auld lang syne, I've composed a virtual tasting menu culled from my favorite dishes of the year.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2011

When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, “What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?”

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder