elderly

1 of 2

adjective

el·​der·​ly ˈel-dər-lē 

1

a

: rather old

especially : being past middle age

b

: old-fashioned

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of later life or elderly persons

elderliness noun

elderly

2 of 2

noun

plural elderly or elderlies

: an elderly person

Synonyms

Adjective

• aged
• aging
• ageing
• ancient
• geriatric
• long-lived
• old
• older
• over-the-hill
• senescent
• senior
• unyoung

Examples of elderly in a Sentence

Adjective

The program is intended to provide medical care for elderly people.

elderly people who stay active are usually the healthiest and the happiest

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Deputies located an elderly man and woman who were both deceased, according to a Facebook post by sheriff’s officials. —Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025

This is also where elderly people can apply for Medicare, which doesn’t have physical outposts of its own. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2025

An elderly man with swallowing difficulties died at a hospital in England after he was wrongly fed jello, a court has heard. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025

At Surasak’s return party, the room was filled with elderly community members; most of their working-age children had left the small town. —Kocha Olarn, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing elderly

• the elderly

Kids Definition

elderly

adjective

el·​der·​ly

ˈel-dər-lē

1

: rather old

especially : past middle age

2

: of or relating to later life or elderly persons

elderliness noun