Old English

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Though John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s books are in no way a retelling of “Beowulf,” echoes of the Old English epic occur throughout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Lal wrote back with superlatives of his own about Lawson, borrowing another word that Gandhi’s grandfather had often used, an Old English term for advocate, or follower:

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2024

For teachers, it can assist with curriculum writing or be a creative classroom aide, for instance creating introductions in Old English during a class on medieval times.

From Reuters • Nov. 16, 2023

She learned French, German, Latin and some Old English and Spanish to expand her reading.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2023

It becomes poikos, then gafaihaz in Germanic and gefab in Old English, signifying “foe.”

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas