What does tidings mean?

It is an old-fashioned word that simply means news and information. Bidding someone “good tidings” wishes them good, positive news and thoughts. It’s the same if you have “bad tidings,” you bring bad, negative news or thoughts with you. This term is a little unusual since it’s almost always in the plural form; you would never say, “I bring you a good tiding“!

How do you pronounce it?

/ˈtʌɪdɪŋz/

or

[tahy-dingz]

Where does it come from?

In 1069, the Old English pronounced it as tīdung, which is related to the Middle Low German word of tīdinge information. In Old Norse it is tidhendi events.

How do you use it?

The new broadcast brought better tidings about the outlook for public jobs.

I bring you good tidings this Christmas holiday.