Plural of Tidings
“Tidings” survives chiefly as an old-fashioned plural noun meaning news, especially in fixed or literary expressions. Modern ordinary prose usually uses “news” rather than trying to build a regular singular/plural pair around “tiding.”
“Tidings” is a plural noun meaning news, and Cambridge marks it as old use.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| old-fashioned/literary news | tidings | Plural noun. |
| modern ordinary information | news | Usually the natural modern noun. |
| singular everyday counterpart | not normally formed from “tidings” | Rephrase instead. |
Quick tests
Plural-choice test
Are you intentionally using the old-fashioned noun meaning “news”?
If yes: Use plural “tidings.”
If no: Use a modern noun such as “news” if that better fits the register.
Caveat: Cambridge explicitly marks “tidings” as old use.
Examples
They arrived with glad tidings.
The old-fashioned noun is plural.
The message brought tidings from home.
“Tidings” retains the marked literary/old register.
We have some good news.
“News” is the ordinary modern choice.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use plural “tidings” when intentionally using the old-fashioned/literary noun.
Fast Test
If the expression sounds literary or formulaic and means news, “tidings” is the established plural form.
Usage Boundary
Do not present a modern singular “tiding” as the ordinary everyday counterpart without separate evidence.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- TIDINGS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge labels tidings a plural noun meaning news and marks it old use.