Old Norse

noun

: the North Germanic language of the Scandinavian peoples prior to about 1350 see Indo-European Languages Table

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Old Norse was in 1833

Rhymes for Old Norse

See All Rhymes for Old Norse

Browse Nearby Words

Old Nick
Old Norse
Old North French
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Old Norse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Old%20Norse. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

Old Norse

noun
: the Germanic language of the Scandinavian peoples before about 1350
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

A Guide to Using Semicolons

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Is 'kryptonite' a real word?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is 'kryptonite' a real word?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All