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Good tidings we bring to you and your kin, goes a line from the popular 16th-century carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Another carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (1833), speaks of "tidings of comfort and joy." Although there is nothing inherent in the meaning or origin of "tiding" that specifically pertains to Christmas (it derives via Middle English from Old English and relates to betide, meaning "to happen especially by fate"), we most often see the word in contexts pertaining to the Christmas season. The most notable usage, perhaps, occurs in Luke 2:10 of the King James Bible, when the angel delivers the news of the arrival of the Savior: "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
Examples of tiding in a Sentence
Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Their Meaning: Because of their energetic nature and beautiful songs, seeing a finch is said to bring tidings of joy and happiness in many Native American cultures.
—Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
In more bad tidings, the trustees reported that a crucial Medicare trust fund will face a shortfall in 2033, three years earlier than projected a year ago.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 28 Feb. 2026
Each color, each flower represents a message of good tidings and good luck for the new year.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiding. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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