elder
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for elder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A respected older member of a community, often looked to for guidance or leadership.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use elder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English eldra, the comparative form of "old," altered in spelling by a sound change called umlaut.
Full origin of elder →Frequently asked questions
What does “elder” mean?
The word “elder” means a respected older member of a community, often looked to for guidance or leadership. In plain terms, older (usually of a family member), or a respected senior figure in a community — plus an unrelated sense referring to a flowering shrub.
How do you pronounce “elder”?
“Elder” is pronounced EHL-duh (/ˈɛldɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “elder” in a sentence?
Here is “elder” used in a sentence: “The village elders met to settle the dispute.”
What is another word for “elder”?
Words with a similar meaning to “elder” include mzee, senior and forerunner.
What part of speech is “elder”?
Depending on how it is used, “elder” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “elder” come from?
The word “elder” comes from Old English. From Old English eldra, the comparative form of "old," altered in spelling by a sound change called umlaut.
Is “elder” a common word?
“Elder” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “elder” have?
“Elder” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a respected older member of a community, often looked to for guidance or leadership.
What is the difference between elder and older?
Older is the ordinary comparative of old and works with "than": "She is older than me." Elder cannot be used with "than" and appears mainly before a noun for family relationships — "my elder brother," "the elder daughter." Elder also carries a sense of respect or seniority that older lacks, as in a village elder.
What is the difference between an elder and the elderly?
An elder is a respected older member of a community, often looked to for guidance or leadership — the word is about standing, not just age. The elderly is a general term for old people as a group, one that many style guides now advise replacing with "older people." You can be elderly without being an elder, and in some communities an elder need not be very old at all.
What is an elder in a church?
In many Christian churches, an elder is a member appointed or ordained to a position of spiritual leadership or governance. Exact duties differ by denomination — in some, elders govern the congregation; in others, elder is a formal title or office. The usage grows out of the word's core sense of a respected community member looked to for guidance.
Is an elder tree the same as an elderberry?
They refer to the same plant. Elder is the name of the small tree or shrub (genus Sambucus) that bears clusters of white flowers and dark purple berries, while elderberry names its fruit and is also used loosely for the plant itself. Elderflower likewise refers to its blossoms.