Dictionary
Old English Dictionary
Use this Old English dictionary as a starting point for Anglo-Saxon vocabulary, translator review, and classroom study.
Word table
| Word | Meaning | Part of speech | Pronunciation note | Historical context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cyning | king | noun | KIN-ing | Royal authority and lordship. |
| cwene | queen | noun | KWEH-neh | Royal or noble woman. |
| sweord | sword | noun | sword | Heroic and battle vocabulary. |
| wyrd | fate | noun | weerd | Fate, destiny, or event. |
| eorthe | earth | noun | EOR-theh | Land, world, or ground. |
| heofon | heaven | noun | HEH-oh-von | Sky or heaven. |
| ath | oath | noun | awth | Promise, vow, or sworn bond. |
| beadu | battle | noun | BEH-ah-doo | Poetic battle term. |
| hlaford | lord | noun | HLAH-vord | Lord or protector. |
| freond | friend | noun | fray-ond | Friend or ally. |
How to use this word list
Start with meaning and context before copying a historical word into a sentence. Older English words often shift by case, number, tense, register, or rhetorical setting.
Use the related translator page for draft sentences, then return to the table to check whether the vocabulary choice fits the period.
Internal study path
- Use the translator page for a draft.
- Check individual word meanings in the dictionary or word page.
- Read the grammar page before treating a sentence as historically reliable.
FAQ
Can one historical word always replace one modern word?
No. Historical vocabulary depends on grammar, context, and period. Treat the table as a guide, not a one-to-one replacement engine.
Why include pronunciation notes?
They help learners recognize the word and discuss it aloud, but they are simplified notes rather than full phonological reconstructions.