age

The word “age” means the length of time someone or something has existed, usually counted in years. In plain terms, how long something has existed, or a period of history, or growing older over time.

“Age” is pronounced ayj (/eɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

Here is “age” used in a sentence: “She started school at the age of five.”

Words with a similar meaning to “age” include mature, elden, eld, date, get on and grow up.

The opposite of “age” — its antonyms — are rejuvenate, youngen and youthen.

Depending on how it is used, “age” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “age” comes from Latin. From Old French aage/eage, ultimately from Latin aetatem, related to aevum ("lifetime"). It displaced the native Old English word for age, "ieldu.".

“Age” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Chronological age is simply how many years you have been alive, counted from your birth date. Biological age reflects how old your body seems based on health, fitness and cell condition, and can be higher or lower than your actual years. Two people the same age chronologically may differ greatly biologically.

Age is measured as the time elapsed since birth, normally expressed in completed years. You count each birthday that has passed, so someone is 'thirty' until the day they turn thirty-one. For babies it is often given in months or weeks, and for objects it is the time since they were made.

Besides chronological age — years since birth — people speak of biological age (how worn the body is), mental or cognitive age (thinking ability compared with a norm), and emotional age (maturity of feelings). In geology and history, 'age' also names a long era, such as the Ice Age or Bronze Age.

Age can mean both. Most often it means how long someone has existed, measured in years. But it also names a distinct historical or geological period — the Bronze Age, the Middle Ages, the Ice Age. In that sense it overlaps with era and epoch, describing a stretch of time with shared characteristics.