What does skald mean?
A skald is a poet, especially a medieval Scandinavian poet associated with courtly life. Such poets composed or performed verse that preserved accounts of notable people, events, battles, and journeys, often within a formal or traditional style. Today the word is uncommon outside literature, history, and discussions of Norse or medieval poetry, but it remains useful because it identifies a particular poetic and cultural tradition rather than a poet in general. The related adjective skaldic refers to the verse of skalds, particularly the complex, allusive poetry of medieval Scandinavia. In ordinary conversation, a skald might simply be called a poet or, in an older or more poetic register, a bard; however, those terms do not carry precisely the same historical meaning.
nounA poet, especially a medieval Scandinavian poet or court poet. The word is chiefly literary and historical, referring particularly to the trained poets of Norse courts.
- A poet or verse-maker, especially in a medieval Scandinavian court.
- A professional or court poet whose compositions were traditionally recited or performed.
"The skald composed verses commemorating the battle and its heroes."
"The saga presents the hero's victories in the formal style of a skald."
"Scholars compared the poem with the work of the great Norse skalds."
The plural is skalds, with no additional ending.
"The surviving skalds recorded the deeds of several Norse rulers."
Remember a skald as a poet with a historical echo: the word comes from the Norse world of courtly verse and oral storytelling.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skald come from?
The word comes from Old Norse skáld, meaning a poet or composer of verse. It was borrowed into English during the medieval period, when Scandinavian literary and cultural traditions strongly influenced English court culture and historical writing. The modern spelling skald reflects the Scandinavian source, although the word is now chiefly historical and literary rather than part of everyday vocabulary.
Related word forms
How skald is actually used
The word is now chiefly literary, historical, or specialized. It is especially associated with Old Norse poetry and with the tradition of poets attached to Scandinavian courts.
Easily confused with skald
A skald is a poet, whereas a scald is someone injured or affected by hot liquid.