aging
Aging (noun) means the natural process of growing older. Example: “Doctors are studying how diet affects healthy aging.”
How to use aging
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting older over time, whether that's people, wine, or furniture built to look antique.
British English often spells this "ageing," while American English prefers "aging."
Word forms
more aging comparative, agings plural, most aging superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Doctors are studying how diet affects healthy _____.
Etymology
Simply "age" plus the ending "-ing."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for aging
Frequently asked questions
What does “aging” mean?
The word “aging” means the natural process of growing older. In plain terms, getting older over time, whether that's people, wine, or furniture built to look antique.
How do you pronounce “aging”?
“Aging” is pronounced AY-jihng (/ˈeɪ.d͡ʒɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “aging” in a sentence?
Here is “aging” used in a sentence: “Doctors are studying how diet affects healthy aging.”
What part of speech is “aging”?
“Aging” is a noun.
Is “aging” a common word?
“Aging” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “aging” have?
“Aging” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the natural process of growing older.
Is it spelled aging or ageing?
Both are correct. Aging is the standard spelling in American English, while ageing is more common in British English. They are the same word with the same meanings: the natural process of growing older, or deliberately making something look or become older.
What is the difference between aging and maturing?
Aging is the neutral term for growing older, while maturing implies developing or improving with age. Wine can do both: it ages simply by getting older, and it matures when that time improves it. Applied to people, maturing points to growth in character or judgment rather than the passage of years.
Can aging be done deliberately?
Yes. Beyond the natural process of growing older, aging also refers to purposely making something look or become older. Furniture can be aged for a distressed antique look, and wine is aged in barrels or bottles to develop its flavor.