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

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