olden days

/ˈoʊl.dən deɪz/

past times

In the olden days, people relied on handwritten letters instead of instant messages.

This phrase refers to a time long ago, often viewed nostalgically.

literary

A poetic or nostalgic reference to a time long past.

Grandma often spoke of the olden days when life was simpler.

A sentimental reflection on earlier times.

The story is set in the olden days of the 18th century.

Historical context referring to a distant past.

Often used to evoke nostalgia or contrast with modern life. The phrase is archaic and primarily literary or rhetorical.

Collocations

in the olden daysduring a time long agothe olden days ofa past era characterized by

a very old or ancient time

a time that has passed and is now considered old-fashioned

This phrase is poetic and may sound clichéd if used too frequently. Reserve it for nostalgic or historical contexts.

Always use 'olden days' to refer to a time long past in a nostalgic or literary way. Do not use it for recent historical periods.

From Middle English 'olden' (past tense of 'old') + 'days'. The phrase emerged in the 16th century as a poetic way to refer to historical periods.

The phrase is chiefly used in literary, historical, or nostalgic contexts. It is not commonly used in formal or technical writing.

olden

past or ancient

adjective

days

periods of time

noun

English Dictionary