christmastide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, religious, or historical; occasionally found in formal journalism or traditional contexts.
Quick answer
What does “christmastide” mean?
The period of time around and including Christmas Day.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The period of time around and including Christmas Day.
The festive Christian season traditionally lasting from Christmas Eve (December 24th) until Epiphany (January 6th), encompassing multiple holidays and celebrations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood in both varieties, but it is more commonly encountered in UK English, particularly in religious, formal, or historical contexts. In the US, 'the holiday season' is overwhelmingly more frequent in secular use.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries stronger historical and church-related connotations. In the US, it can sound distinctly formal, old-fashioned, or deliberately traditional.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher relative frequency in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “christmastide” in a Sentence
[Event/Activity] during ChristmastideThe [adjective] spirit of ChristmastideCelebrations/Feasts/Traditions of ChristmastideVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “christmastide” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'Christmastide' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'Christmastide' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'Christmastide' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'Christmastide' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Christmastide liturgy is particularly beautiful.
- They enjoyed a traditional Christmastide pudding.
American English
- The choir prepared a special Christmastide program.
- He read a Christmastide story to the children.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in formal holiday greetings from traditional institutions (e.g., 'Wishing you peace and prosperity this Christmastide').
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or cultural studies discussing seasonal traditions.
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. Would be replaced by 'over Christmas' or 'during the holidays'.
Technical
Specific to liturgical calendars and historical studies of festivity.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “christmastide”
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'Christmas Day'. Spelling it as 'Christmas tide' (two words). Overusing it in informal contexts where it sounds stilted.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Christmas' typically refers to December 25th, the specific feast day. 'Christmastide' refers to the extended season surrounding it, traditionally from December 24th to January 6th.
No, it is relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It is used primarily in formal, literary, religious, or historical contexts. Most people say 'the Christmas season' or 'the holidays'.
The suffix '-tide' is archaic and means 'time' or 'season'. It is related to the modern German word 'Zeit' (time). It is also seen in words like 'Eastertide' and the old term 'noontide'.
Yes, though not extremely common. It can function attributively, as in 'Christmastide celebrations' or 'Christmastide spirit', where it describes something related to the Christmas season.
The period of time around and including Christmas Day.
Christmastide is usually formal, literary, religious, or historical; occasionally found in formal journalism or traditional contexts. in register.
Christmastide: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪsməstaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪsməsˌtaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Tide' in 'Christmastide' is related to 'time' or 'season', as in 'Eastertide'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Christmastide' = Christmas + 'tide' (as in 'time' or 'season', like 'eventide'). It's the 'tide' or time of Christmas.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A FLUID/SEASONAL CYCLE (tide).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Christmastide' MOST appropriately used?