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

Puente was eventually taken into custody after an elderly man at a Los Angeles bar struck up a conversation with her and soon recognized her from the news. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025

America’s elderly prison population is rising, partly because of more people serving long sentences for violent crimes. —Sarah Kliff, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

The suspect was arrested and charged with first-degree elderly exploitation. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025

Florida man robs elderly woman of lottery winnings: police Deputies in Orange County, Florida, are investigating the robbery of an 83-year-old woman after a man, believed to be Diego Stalin Tavarez Fleury, stole her lottery winnings. —Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 16 Jan. 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