elderly
20 synonyms and 1 antonyms for elderly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Old, especially having reached an advanced age.
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.
Antonyms
Etymology
Formed from elder plus the adjective-forming suffix -ly.
Full origin of elderly →Frequently asked questions
What does “elderly” mean?
The word “elderly” means old, especially having reached an advanced age. In plain terms, a polite, gentle way to describe someone (or people generally) who is old.
How do you pronounce “elderly”?
“Elderly” is pronounced EHL-duh-lee (/ˈɛldɚli/ in IPA).
How do you use “elderly” in a sentence?
Here is “elderly” used in a sentence: “They help care for an elderly neighbor who lives alone.”
What is another word for “elderly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “elderly” include elder, geriatric, gerontologic, gerontological, long in the tooth and matured.
What is the opposite of “elderly”?
The opposite of “elderly” — its antonyms — is young.
What part of speech is “elderly”?
Depending on how it is used, “elderly” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “elderly” a common word?
“Elderly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “elderly” have?
“Elderly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: old, especially having reached an advanced age.
What is the difference between elderly and old?
Both words describe advanced age, but elderly is generally considered gentler and more respectful, especially when applied to people. Old is broader and blunter and can describe objects and animals as well as people, whereas elderly is used almost only of people who have reached an advanced age.
What is the difference between elderly and senior?
Elderly is an adjective describing someone who has reached an advanced age, while senior, in this context, refers to an older person often defined by reaching a set age such as retirement. Senior is frequently used in official or commercial settings, as in senior discounts, whereas elderly is a more general description of age.
How do you use 'the elderly' correctly?
'The elderly' uses elderly as a plural noun referring to older people considered as a group, as in 'services for the elderly'. It always takes a plural verb, and many writers now prefer phrases such as 'older people' as a more person-centred alternative.