Yule
/juːl/noun
The traditional winter festival associated with Christmas and the midwinter season.
Did you know?English Yule comes from Old English geōl/geōla, tied to the midwinter season, and its deeper origin is probably the same Germanic word behind Old Norse jól, a festival name that long predates modern Christmas.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*jehwlą / *jeulą
“A midwinter festival or season (reconstructed form; exact shape uncertain).”
Old Norse
ON
jól
“A pagan midwinter feast or festival.”
Old English
OE
geōl / geōla
“The Christmas season; midwinter month(s).”
Middle English
ME
yole / yule
“Christmas; the winter festival season.”
Modern English
English
Yule
“The traditional Christmas season or a winter festival.”