noun
Common
elder
EHL-duh
Elder (noun) means a respected older member of a community, often looked to for guidance or leadership. Example: “The tribal elder spoke quietly, and everyone stopped talking to listen.”
noun
1
A respected older member of a community, often looked to for guidance or leadership.
"The tribal elder spoke quietly, and everyone stopped talking to listen."
"The village elders met to settle the dispute."
"She was raised to show deep respect for her elders."
2
A small tree or shrub (Sambucus) that produces clusters of white flowers and dark purple berries.
"Birds feasted on the dark berries of the elder at the end of summer."
"An old elder bush grew beside the stone wall behind the cottage."
"She made cordial from the elder flowers growing in the hedgerow."
adjective
1
Older than another specified person, especially a sibling.
"My elder sister taught me how to ride a bicycle."
"The elder of the two twins is five minutes older."
"His elder brother went to university first."
How to use elder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOlder (usually of a family member), or a respected senior figure in a community — plus an unrelated sense referring to a flowering shrub.
Common mistake
Use "elder" (not "older") specifically for family relations like elder brother/sister; "older" works more generally.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
elder brother
village elders
elder statesman
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like elder.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- elders
- Third person singular
- elders
- Past tense
- eldered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tribal _____ spoke quietly, and everyone stopped talking to listen.
Etymology
From Old English eldra, the comparative form of "old," altered in spelling by a sound change called umlaut.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for elder
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include elder:
