Old English Words – A Comprehensive List of Old English Vocabulary

a

• abutan, adv., about, around
  
• ac, conj., but, however
  
• acennan, verb, bring forth, give birth to
  
• acwellan, verb, to kill
  
• adl, noun, f., sickness, disease
  
• agen, adj., own
  
• aglæca, noun, m., monster, combatant, the terrible one
  
• ahwær, adv., anywhere
  
• alimpan, verb, befall, come to pass
  
• alyfan, verb, to permit, allow
  
• amyrran, verb, to wound
  
• an, numeral, a, an, one
  
• and, conj., and
  
• anda, noun, m., malice, hostility
  
• andgit, noun, n., meaning, sense
  
• andsaca, noun, m., enemy, adversary
  
• andswarian, verb, to answer
  
• andweard, adj., present
  
• andwlita, noun, m., face
  
• andwyrdan, verb, to answer
  
• anfeald, adj., simple, onefold
  
• anfloga, noun, m., solitary flier
  
• angel, noun, m., hook
  
• anginn, noun, n., beginning
  
• anhaga, noun, m., solitary one, one who dwells alone
  
• anlicnes, noun, f., image
  
• anræd, adj., resolute
  
• anwealda, noun, m., ruler, Lord
  
• ar, noun, f., oar
  
• ar, noun, f, honour, mercy, favour, prosperity
  
• ar, noun, n., copper
  
• ariht, adv., properly
  
• arisan, verb, to arise
  
• arleas, adj., dishonourable
  
• arlice, adv, honourably, kindly
  
• arod, adj., bold
  
• arweorþe, adj., honourable
  
• asecgan, verb, to say, tell
  
• astyrian, verb, to remove, to move
  
• atelic, adj., horrible, dreadful
  
• ateon, verb, to draw, unsheathe
  
• atol, adj., terrible, hateful
  
• attor, noun, n., venom
  
• awiht, noun, n., anything
  
• axian, verb, to ask
  
• aþ, noun, m., oath
  

æ

• æ, noun, f., law
  
• æcer, noun, m., cultivated field
  
• æfæst, adj., pious
  
• æfen, noun, m., evening
  
• æfre, adv., forever, always, ever
  
• æfter, prep., after
  
• æfterfylgan, verb, to follow, to come after
  
• æghwa, pron., everyone, everything
  
• æghwær, adv., everywhere
  
• ægþer, pron., each, both, either
  
• æht, noun, f., possessions, property
  
• æl, noun, m., eel
  
• ælc, pron. and adj., each, every
  
• ælfscyne, adj., beautiful as a fairy
  
• ælmihtig, adj., almighty
  
• æmettig, adj., empty
  
• ænig, adj., any
  
• ær, adv., before, previously
  
• ærende, noun, n., message
  
• ærest, adj., first
  
• ærgewinn, noun, n., ancient hostility
  
• ærgod, adj., good from old times
  
• ærnan, verb, to run
  
• æsc, noun, m., ash tree, spear
  
• æscplega, noun, m., spear-fight, battle
  
• æscrof, adj., brave in battle
  
• æstel, noun, m., ?pointer used to keep one’s place as one reads
  
• æt, prep., at
  
• ætgædere, adv., together
  
• ætsomne, adv., together
  
• ætywan, verb, to appear, to show
  
• æþele, adj., noble
  
• æþeling, noun, m., prince, atheling
  
• æþelo, noun, n. pl., origin, descent, noble lineage
  

b

• bæc, noun, n., back
  
• bæcere, noun, m., baker
  
• bæl, noun, n., fire, funeral pyre
  
• bærnan, verb, to burn
  
• bæþ, noun, n., bath
  
• baldlice, adv., boldly
  
• bana, noun, m., slayer
  
• banhus, noun, n., body
  
• banloca, noun, m., ‘bone-enclosure’, ?muscles, ?body
  
• bar, noun, m., boar
  
• bat, noun, m., boat
  
• baþian, verb, to bathe
  
• be, prep., about, concerning
  
• beacen, noun, n., beacon, sign
  
• beadu, noun, m., battle
  
• beadurinc, noun, m., warrior
  
• beadurof, adj., bold in battle
  
• beag, noun, m., circular ornament
  
• beaggyfa, noun, m., ring-giver, lord
  
• beaggyfu, noun, f., ring-giving, generosity
  
• beaghord, noun, n., ring-hoard, treasure
  
• bealdor, noun, m., lord
  
• bealu, noun, n., misery, harm, injury, enmity
  
• bealuhygdig, adj., intending evil, hostile
  
• bealusiþ, noun, m., painful journey, bitter experience
  
• beam, noun, m., tree, cross
  
• bearm, noun, m., bosom, lap
  
• bearn, noun, n., child, son
  
• bearu, noun, m., grove
  
• bebeodan, verb, to command
  
• bedælan, verb, to deprive
  
• begen, adj. and pron., both
  
• begeondan, prep., beyond
  
• begietan, verb, to get, to acquire
  
• beginnan, verb, to begin
  
• begnornian, verb, to lament
  
• beheafdian, verb, to behead, decapitate
  
• behreowsian, verb, to repent
  
• benc, noun, f., bench
  
• benn, noun, f., wound
  
• beon, verb, to be
  
• beor, noun, n., beer
  
• beorg, noun, m., hill, mound, mountain)
  
• beorgan, verb, to save, protect
  
• beorht, adj., bright
  
• beorn, noun, m., man, warrior
  
• beot, noun, n., vow, boast
  
• beran, verb, to carry, bear
  
• berstan, verb, to burst
  
• beswican, verb, to deceive, ensnare
  
• bet, adv., better
  
• betweonan, prep., between
  
• betweox, prep., between
  
• bidan, verb, to await, experience
  
• biddan, verb, to ask, bid
  
• bifian, verb, to shake
  
• bigong, noun, m., worship
  
• bill, noun, n., sword
  
• bisgu, noun, f., occupation
  
• bitan, verb, to bite
  
• blac, adj., pale
  
• blæc, adj., black
  
• blæd, noun, m., glory
  
• blawan, verb, to blow
  
• bletsian, verb, to bless
  
• blod, noun, n., blood
  
• boc, noun, f., book
  
• bodian, verb, to preach
  
• bolster, noun, n., pillow
  
• bricg, noun, f., bridge
  
• brim, noun, n., sea
  
• broga, noun, m., terror, danger
  
• broþor, noun, m., brother
  
• brucan, verb, to use, enjoy, benefit from
  
• brun, adj., brown, black, purple, red
  
• brytta, noun, m., distributor, one who hands out
  
• burh, noun, f., stronghold, enclosure
  
• butan, prep., without, except, but
  
• byrgan, verb, to bury
  
• bysig, adj., busy
  
• bysmor, noun, m., disgrace, mockery
  

c

• casere, noun, m., emperor
  
• ceald, adj., cold
  
• ceaster, noun, f., town
  
• cempa, noun, m., warrior
  
• cicen, noun, n., chicken
  
• cirice, noun, f., church
  
• clipian, verb, to call
  
• clyppan, verb, to embrace
  
• cniht, noun, m., boy, youth
  
• cringan, verb, to fall, perish
  
• cuman, verb, to come
  
• cunnan, verb, to know
  
• cunnian, verb, to find out
  
• cwellan, verb, to kill
  
• cwen, noun, f., woman, queen
  
• cwic, adj., alive
  
• cyning, noun, m., king
  
• cyse, noun, m., cheese
  
• cyþan, verb, to make known, inform, reveal
  

d

• dæd, noun, f., deed
  
• dæg, noun,m., day
  
• dæl, noun, m., part, portion
  
• dema, noun, m., judge
  
• deofol, noun, m. or n., devil
  
• deop, adj., deep
  
• deor, noun, n., wild animal
  
• deorc, adj., dark
  
• digol, adj., secret
  
• dom, noun, m., judgement
  
• don, verb, to do
  
• dream, noun, m., joy, delight
  
• dreogan, verb, to suffer
  
• dreor, noun, m. or n., dripping blood
  
• drihten, noun, m., lord
  
• dugan, verb, to be of use
  
• duguþ, noun, f., troop of seasoned retainers, mature men
  
• durran, verb, to dare
  
• duru, noun, f., door
  
• dyre, adj., dear
  
• dyrne, adj., secret
  
• dysig, adj., foolish
  

e

• ea, noun, f., river
  
• eac, adv., also
  
• eadig, adj., blessed, happy
  
• eald, adj., old
  
• ealdor, noun, m., leader, prince
  
• ealdor, noun, n., life, age
  
• eallwealda, noun, m., all-ruler, the Lord
  
• earfoþ, noun, n., work, hardship
  
• earm, adj., poor
  
• ece, adj., eternal
  
• ecg, noun, f., edge, sword
  
• eft, adv., again
  
• ege, noun, m., fear
  
• ellen, noun, n., courage, strength
  
• engel, noun, m., angel
  
• ent, noun, m., giant
  
• eorl, noun, m., nobleman
  

f

• fæder, noun, m., father
  
• fæger, adj., beautiful, pleasant
  
• fæmne, noun, f., virgin, woman
  
• faran, verb, to go, travel
  
• feax, noun, n., hair
  
• fela, pron., many
  
• feond, noun, m., enemy
  
• feor, adj., far
  
• feorh, noun, n., life
  
• ferhþ, noun, m., spirit, mind
  
• fleogan, verb, to fly
  
• folde, noun, f., earth, ground
  
• folme, noun, f., hand
  
• fon, verb, to catch, seize
  
• forhtian, verb, to fear
  
• forlætan, verb, to abandon, let go, neglect
  
• forma, adj., first
  
• forst, noun, m., frost
  
• frætwe, noun, f. pl., ornaments
  
• frea, noun, m., lord
  
• fremde, adj., strange
  
• fremman, verb, to do, perpetrate
  
• friþ, noun, m., peace
  
• frod, adj., old, wise
  
• frofor, noun, f., consolation
  
• fruma, noun, m., beginning
  
• fugol, noun, m., bird
  
• fultum, noun, m., help, support
  
• fus, adj., eager
  
• fyr, noun, n., fire
  
• fyren, noun, f., crime, wickedness
  

g

• galan, verb, to sing
  
• gamol, adj., old, ancient
  
• gan, verb, to go
  
• gar, noun, m., spear
  
• gast, noun, m., spirit, soul, angel, ghost
  
• gear, noun, n., year
  
• geard, noun, m., yard, enclosure
  
• gebed, noun, n., prayer
  
• gebeorscipe, noun, m., beer party
  
• gebetan, verb, to improve, remedy
  
• gebiddan, verb, to pray
  
• geceapian, verb, to buy
  
• gecnawan, verb, to recognise, perceive, understand
  
• gedwyld, noun, n., heresy, error
  
• gemynd, noun, n., mind, remembrance
  
• genog, adj., enough
  
• geomor, adj., sad
  
• geond, prep., through, throughout
  
• geong, adj., young
  
• georn, adj., eager
  
• gereord, noun, n., speech, voice
  
• gesib, adj., related
  
• gesund, adj., unharmed, whole, uncorrupted
  
• gewinn, noun, n., war, battle, strife
  
• gewinnan, verb, to conquer, win
  
• geþeode, noun, n., language
  
• giedd, noun, n., word, speech, riddle
  
• giefu, noun, f., gift
  
• giet, adv., yet, still
  
• gif, conj., if
  
• gioguþ, noun, f., youth, young people
  
• gnornian, verb, to mourn
  
• god, adj., good
  
• god, noun, m., God
  
• grædig, adj., greedy
  
• griþ, noun, n., truce
  
• guma, noun, m., man
  
• guþ, noun, f., battle, war
  
• gylp, noun, m., boast, pride
  
• gyse, adv., yes
  

h

• habban, verb, to have
  
• hælan, verb, to heal
  
• hælend, noun, m., saviour
  
• hæleþ, noun, m., hero
  
• hæþen, adj., heathen
  
• hal, adj., safe, unhurt
  
• halig, adj., holy
  
• ham, noun, m., home
  
• hat, adj., hot
  
• hatan, verb, to command, order, call, name
  
• heafod, noun, n., head
  
• heah, adj., high
  
• hearh, noun, m., heathen shrine
  
• heaþorinc, noun, m., warrior
  
• helm, noun, m., protection, cover, helmet
  
• heofon, noun, m., heaven
  
• heorot, noun, m., deer, stag
  
• here, noun, m., army
  
• hergian, verb, to ravage
  
• hild, noun, f., battle
  
• hlæw, noun, m., mound, barrow
  
• hlaf, noun, m., bread
  
• hlaford, noun, m., lord
  
• hleo, noun, n., protection, shelter
  
• holt, noun, n., wood, forest
  
• hord, noun, n., hoard
  
• hu, adv., how
  
• hund, noun, m., dog
  
• hus, noun, n., house
  
• hwa, pron., who
  
• hwær, adv., where
  
• hwæt, pron., what
  
• hwæþer, conj., whether
  
• hwelc, pron. and adj., which
  
• hwil, noun, f., while
  
• hycgan, verb, to think, plan
  
• hyge, noun, m., mind, heart, courage
  
• hyht, noun, m., joy, bliss, hope
  
• hyrde, noun, m., guardian, keeper
  
• hyse, noun, m., warrior
  

i

• ic, pron., I
  
• ides, noun, f., lady
  
• ilca, adj. and pron., same
  
• isen, noun, n., iron
  

l

• lac, noun, n., play, sacrifice, offering
  
• læne, adj., temporary, transitory, granted, lent
  
• laf, noun, f., remnant, what is left
  
• lagu, noun, f., law
  
• lar, noun, f., teaching
  
• laþ, adj., hateful, hostile
  
• leas, adj., devoid of
  
• leax, noun, m., salmon
  
• leode, noun, pl., people
  
• leof, adj., beloved, dear
  
• leoht, noun, n., light
  
• leoþ, noun, n., song, poem, poetry
  
• lic, noun, n., body
  
• lichama, noun, m., body
  
• lif, noun, n., life
  
• lind, noun, f., shield
  
• lof, noun, n., praise
  
• lofgeorn, adj., eager for praise
  
• lufu, noun, f., love
  
• lyft, noun, f., air, sky, breeze
  

m

• mæg, noun, m., kinsman
  
• mægen, noun, n., strength, power, army
  
• mægþ, noun, f., maiden
  
• mære, adj., famous, glorious, notorious
  
• magan, verb, to be able, can, be competent
  
• man, noun, n., crime
  
• manig, adj., many
  
• mann, noun, n., person, human being
  
• maþelian, verb, to speak
  
• maþm, noun, m., treasure
  
• mearc, noun, f., boundary, region, border
  
• mearh, noun, m., horse
  
• mece, noun, m., sword
  
• meodo, noun, m., mead
  
• meotod, noun, m., creator
  
• mere, noun, m., pool, lake
  
• micel, adj., great, large, much
  
• mid, prep., with, amid, among
  
• middangeard, noun, m., world, middle earth
  
• miht, noun, f., might
  
• mod, noun, n., spirit, courage, mind
  
• modig, adj., brave, bold, arrogant
  
• modor, noun, f., mother
  
• mona, noun, m., moon
  
• morþor, noun, n., crime, violence, torment
  
• motan, verb, to may, be allowed to
  
• mund, noun, f., hand, protection
  
• mynster, noun, n., monastery, church ]
  

n

• nædre, noun, f., snake, serpent
  
• næss, noun, m., headland, bluff
  
• neah, adj., near
  
• neorxnawang, noun, m., Paradise
  
• niman, verb, to take
  
• niþ, noun, m., hatred, malice, trouble
  
• nu, adv., now
  
• nytt, noun, f., use, utility
  

o

• ofer, prep., over
  
• ofermod, noun, n., pride, arrogance, overconfidence
  
• offrian, verb, to offer
  
• oft, adv., often
  
• onfon, verb, to receive, accept, take up
  
• ongean, adv., back, again
  
• ongietan, verb, to understand, perceive
  
• onginnan, verb, to begin
  
• ord, noun, m., point, spear, vanguard
  
• oþ þæt, conj., until
  
• oþer, adj., other
  
• oþþe, conj., or
  

p

• pæþ, noun, m., path
  
• penig, noun, m., penny
  
• preost, noun, m., priest
  

r

• ræd, noun, m., advice
  
• rædan, verb, to read, instruct, give counsel, rule
  
• rand, noun, m., shield, shield-boss
  
• rice, adj., powerful, great
  
• rice, noun, n., kingdom
  
• rinc, noun, m., man, warrior
  
• rod, noun, f., rood, cross
  
• rodor, noun, m., sky, heaven
  
• run, noun, f., secret meditation
  

s

• sacu, noun, f., battle
  
• sæ, noun, f. and m., sea
  
• samod, adv., together, too, at the same time
  
• sar, adj., sore
  
• sarig, adj., sorrowful
  
• sawol, noun, f., soul
  
• sceadu, noun, f., shadow
  
• scealc, noun, m., man, warrior
  
• sceat, noun, m., surface, region
  
• sceatt, noun, m., money, payment
  
• sceawian, verb, to see, look at
  
• sceþþan, verb, to injure
  
• scieppan, verb, to create
  
• sculan, verb, to must, have to
  
• se, seo, þæt, pron., the
  
• secan, verb, to seek
  
• secg, noun, m., man, warrior
  
• secgan, verb, to say
  
• sefa, noun, m., heart
  
• sele, noun, m., hall, house
  
• sellan, verb, to give, sell
  
• sendan, verb, to send, throw, hurl, cause to go
  
• seon, verb, to see
  
• sibb, noun, f., peace
  
• sige, noun, m., victory
  
• simle, adv., always
  
• sinc, noun, n., treasure
  
• singal, adj., perpetual
  
• siþ, noun, m., journey, fate, lot, venture
  
• siþþan, adv., since, afterwards, later
  
• slean, verb, to strike, beat
  
• smeagan, verb, to think, examine
  
• snottor, adj., wise
  
• sona, adv., immediately, soon
  
• sorg, noun, f., sorrow, grief, trouble
  
• soþ, adj., true
  
• sped, noun, f., success, quickness
  
• spell, noun, n., story, message
  
• sprecan, verb, to speak
  
• stan, noun, m., stone
  
• stefn, noun, f., voice
  
• stow, noun, f., place
  
• stræl, noun, m. or f., arrow
  
• sum, adj. and pron., a, a certain, some
  
• sunne, noun, f., sun
  
• sunu, noun, m., son
  
• swa, adv., so, thus
  
• sweart, adj., dark, black
  
• swefn, noun, n., dream
  
• swelc, adj., such
  
• sweord, noun, n., sword
  
• sweostor, noun, f., sister
  
• sweotol, adj., clear, manifest
  
• swincan, verb, labour, toil, struggle
  
• swiþe, adv., very, greatly
  
• symbel, noun, n., feast
  
• syn, noun, f., crime, sin
  

t

• teon, verb, to draw, drag
  
• tid, noun, f., time
  
• til, adj., good
  
• tir, noun, m., glory
  
• torht, adj., bright
  
• treow, noun, f., faith, trust, loyalty
  
• treow, noun, n., tree
  
• tun, noun, m., town, village
  
• tungol, noun, n., star
  
• twegen, numeral, two
  
• tweo, noun, m., doubt, uncertainty
  

u

• uhta, noun, m. or f., period just before dawn
  
• uncuþ, adj., unknown, strange
  
• ut, adv., out
  

w

• wæl, noun, n., slaughter, carnage
  
• wæstm, noun, m., fruit
  
• wealdan, verb, wield, control
  
• wealdend, noun, m., ruler, Lord
  
• weard, noun, m., guardian
  
• weaxan, verb, to grow
  
• wen, noun, f., expectation, hope
  
• wendan, verb, to go, turn, translate, change
  
• weorþan, verb, to become, happen
  
• wer, noun, m., man
  
• werod, noun, n., troop, company
  
• wic, noun, n., abode
  
• wif, noun, n., woman, wife
  
• wig, noun, n., war, battle
  
• wiga, noun, m., warrior
  
• wiht, noun, f. and n., creature, being
  
• willan, verb, to want
  
• wine, noun, m., friend, lord
  
• winnan, verb, to struggle, fight
  
• wita, noun, m., wise man, counsellor
  
• witan, verb, to know
  
• wite, noun, n., punishment
  
• wiþ, prep., against, from, with
  
• wlanc, adj., proud
  
• wolcen, noun, n. or m., cloud, sky
  
• woruld, noun, f., world
  
• wræcca, noun, m., wanderer, exile
  
• wraþ, adj., hostile
  
• wrecan, verb, to avenge
  
• writan, verb, to write
  
• wudu, noun, m., wood, forest, tree
  
• wuldor, noun, n., glory
  
• wundor, noun, n., wonder, miracle
  
• wunian, verb, to dwell
  
• wynn, noun, f., joy
  
• wyrcan, verb, to make, form, produce
  
• wyrd, noun, f., fate, event
  
• wyrm, noun, m., worm, serpent
  
• wyrt, noun, f., herb, plant, vegetable
  

y

• yfel, adj., evil
  
• ymb, prep., about, concerning
  
• yrmþu, noun, f., hardship
  
• yrre, noun, n., anger
  
• yþ, noun, f., wave
  

þ

• þa, adv. and conj., then, when
  
• þær, adv. and conj., there, where
  
• þeah, adv., though
  
• þeaw, noun, m., custom, practice
  
• þegn, noun, m., thane, nobleman, retainer, warrior
  
• þeod, noun, f., people, nation
  
• þeoden, noun, m., prince, lord
  
• þeow, noun, m., slave, servant
  
• þolian, verb, to suffer
  
• þonne, adv., then
  
• þrowian, verb, to suffer
  
• þrym, noun, m., glory
  
• þurfan, verb, to need
  
• þurh, prep., through