aged
ayjd
Aged (adj) means Old, especially elderly. Example: “She cares for her aged parents.”
adj
1
Old, especially elderly.
"She cares for her aged parents."
"The aged oak stood at the edge of the field."
"The village shop delivers groceries free to its aged customers."
2
Having the specified age.
"A child aged seven can usually read simple books."
"The course is for students aged 16 and over."
"The two boys, aged nine and eleven, walked to school together."
3
Improved or matured over time, especially of food or drink.
"The steak was aged for 28 days."
"This is a well-aged cheddar."
"He poured a glass of aged whisky to celebrate the good news."
How to use aged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "old" or "having reached a certain age," or, for food and drink, "matured."
Common mistake
The pronunciation changes with the meaning: "AY-jid" for "elderly," but "AYJD" (one syllable) when stating a specific age, as in "aged 30."
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more aged, further aged, farther aged
- Superlative
- most aged, furthest aged, farthest aged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She cares for her _____ parents.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for aged
See all rhymes for aged →Frequently asked questions
What does “aged” mean?
The word “aged” means old, especially elderly. In plain terms, either "old" or "having reached a certain age," or, for food and drink, "matured.".
How do you pronounce “aged”?
“Aged” is pronounced ayjd (/eɪdʒd/ in IPA).
How do you use “aged” in a sentence?
Here is “aged” used in a sentence: “She cares for her aged parents.”
What is another word for “aged”?
Words with a similar meaning to “aged” include hoary.
What part of speech is “aged”?
“Aged” is an adjective.
Is “aged” a common word?
“Aged” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “aged” have?
“Aged” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: old, especially elderly.
Does aged mean the same as old?
They overlap, but aged usually stresses being far along in years, and it most often describes people who are elderly. You can call a person aged, though the word can sound formal or delicate. Old is broader and blunter, applying freely to people, objects, ideas, and animals alike.
Is it polite to call someone aged?
Aged is generally considered respectful and gentle, often used in formal or caring contexts such as 'care for the aged.' Still, some people find any age label uncomfortable, so softer phrases like 'older people' or 'elderly' are common. Tone and setting decide whether it sounds courteous or awkward.
What is the difference between aged and ageing?
Aged describes someone who is already old, focusing on the state of being far along in years. Ageing describes the ongoing process of growing older, which happens to everyone at every age. An aged person has reached old age; an ageing person is still moving toward it.
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