VocabDictionary

bygone

/ˈbaɪ.ɡɒn/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Belonging to or happening in a past time; out of date or no longer in existence.

Example Sentences:
  • The museum displayed tools from a bygone era of farming.
  • She felt a sense of nostalgia for the bygone days of her childhood.
2.noun

A thing or event from the past, often used in the plural to refer to past grievances that should be forgotten.

Example Sentences:
  • They decided to let bygones be bygones and move forward with their friendship.
  • We cannot change the bygones of history, but we can learn from them.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “bygone”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'bygon', a combination of the preposition 'by' (meaning 'past' or 'near') and the past participle of 'go' ('gon'). It originally functioned as a phrase meaning 'that which has gone by', evolving into an adjective to describe things belonging to an earlier time.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'by' (past) + 'gone' (left) = something that has gone by into the past.

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “bygone

1. What is the meaning of “bygone” in English?

In English, bygone (adjective) is defined as: “Belonging to or happening in a past time; out of date or no longer in existence.”.

2. How do you use “bygone” in a sentence?

The museum displayed tools from a bygone era of farming.

3. What are English synonyms of “bygone”?

Common synonyms include:past,former,bygone,antiquated,obsolete

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “bygone”?

Derived from the Middle English 'bygon', a combination of the preposition 'by' (meaning 'past' or 'near') and the past participle of 'go' ('gon'). It originally functioned as a phrase meaning 'that which has gone by', evolving into an adjective to describe things belonging to an earlier time.