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.

Tolkien, a scholar of Old English, studied the “theory of courage” found in poems such as the ancient epic “Beowulf,” redeeming what he called the “noble northern spirit” from the fascists who would pervert it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

As the painter notes: “Woods, from the Old English wode . . . also meaning ‘mad.’”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2023

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

You had to know Old English and the History of the English Language and a representative selection of all that had been written from Beowulf to the present day.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath