older

The word “older” means comparative form of "old"; greater in age or having existed longer. In plain terms, the comparative of "old" — used to say one thing or person has more years or history than another.

“Older” is pronounced OHL-duh (/ˈoʊldɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “older” used in a sentence: “My older brother just turned thirty.”

“Older” is an adjective.

“Older” is a very common word in modern English.

'Older' is the general comparative of old and works for people and things alike, usually with 'than' — 'she is older than me,' 'an older building.' 'Elder' applies mainly to people, especially seniority within a family or group — 'my elder sister' — and is not followed by 'than.'

'Older' is comparative, comparing two things — 'the older of the two brothers.' 'Oldest' is superlative, singling one out from three or more — 'the oldest of five children.' Use older when weighing two, and oldest when one tops the whole group in age.

For people and ages, the opposite of older is younger — lower in age. For things, 'newer' often fits better, as in a newer car or a newer building. Which one you choose depends on whether you're comparing how long someone has lived or how recently something was made.

It's 'older than.' 'Than' is used for comparisons — 'he is older than her.' 'Then' refers to time or sequence — 'we ate, then left' — and never follows a comparative. Mixing them up is a common slip, but comparisons always take 'than.'