elderly
EHL-duh-lee
Elderly (adjective) means Old, especially having reached an advanced age. Example: “An elderly man held the door open for us at the library.”
adjective
1
Old, especially having reached an advanced age.
"An elderly man held the door open for us at the library."
"They help care for an elderly neighbor who lives alone."
"The elderly couple has been married for over fifty years."
noun
1
Older people considered as a group.
"Local volunteers deliver hot meals to the elderly every Tuesday."
"Buses in this town offer cheaper tickets for the elderly."
"The clinic offers free flu shots for the elderly."
How to use elderly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite, gentle way to describe someone (or people generally) who is old.
When to use it
"Elderly" is considered a more respectful, softer term than "old" when describing people.
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Word forms
- Plural
- elderlies
- Comparative
- more elderly
- Superlative
- most elderly
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An _____ man held the door open for us at the library.
Etymology
Formed from elder plus the adjective-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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aged
older
aging
venerable
senescent
elder
geriatric
gerontologic
gerontological
long in the tooth
matured
of a certain age
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for elderly
See all rhymes for 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.
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