Search Dictionary
Definition of yore

yore

/jɔːr/
yore
JUMP TO:

yore Lexical Profile

yore Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Time long past; olden times (now used almost exclusively in the phrase "of yore").

Example

"The castle walls still echoed with the legends and chivalric tales of days of yore."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for yore
Antonyms
View all antonyms for yore

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern English, "yore" is a fossil word that appears almost exclusively in the prepositional phrase "of yore" (as in "days of yore"), evoking a nostalgic or literary sense of the distant past.

• Rhymes for yore

• Nearby Words

yonder
yonkers
yoppers
yore
york
york river
yorkie

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old English adverb geāra (meaning "formerly" or "long ago"), which is related to the noun gēar ("year"). Over time, its frequent use after the preposition "of" led speakers to reanalyze the word as a noun.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Yore. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/yore
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.