Synonyms

bygone

American

[bahy-gawn, -gon] / ˈbaɪˌgɔn, -ˌgɒn /

adjective

past; gone by; earlier; former.

The faded photograph brought memories of bygone days.

noun

Usually bygones. that which is past.

Let's not talk of bygones.

idioms

let bygones be bygones, to decide to forget past disagreements; become reconciled.

Let's let bygones be bygones and be friends again.

bygone British

/ ˈbaɪˌɡɒn /

adjective

(usually prenominal) past; former

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

(often plural) a past occurrence
(often plural) an artefact, implement, etc, of former domestic or industrial use, now often collected for interest
to agree to forget past quarrels

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bygone

1375–1425; late Middle English (north) by-gane; gone, by

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.

"In bygone eras, dads and uncles would show young people how things are done," said the 52-year-old.

From BBC

As many noted, the instantly iconic photo of Hughes looks and feels like a throwback to a bygone era.

From Los Angeles Times

Section 122, the basis for his new tax plan, is a relic of a bygone age.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead it’s a holdover from a bygone era of the gold standard, fixed exchange rates and periodic panics about global liquidity.

From The Wall Street Journal

But they did produce fascinating scenes reminiscent of a bygone era, encapsulating the essence and charm of the FA Cup's history.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023