Auld

Auld is a Scots word meaning old. It derives from the Old English eald and is used in contemporary Scots as the standard form of the adjective "old".

As a surname, Auld is of Scottish origin. It likely began as a nickname for an elder or senior person, and over time became a family name. The name is found in Scotland and among descendants of Scottish emigrants.

In culture, the word appears in Scots language and literature. The best-known usage is in the song Auld Lang Syne, attributed to Robert Burns, which is traditionally sung to mark the transition to the new year.

Pronunciation is typically with a long vowel, roughly "awld", and spelling variants include Ald. In modern usage, "auld" survives mainly in dialect phrases such as auld friend and in surnames, while the standard English equivalent is "old".

See also Auld Lang Syne, a song closely associated with New Year celebrations.