elderly

1 of 2

adjective

el·​der·​ly ˈel-dər-lē How to pronounce elderly (audio)
Synonyms of elderly
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 of elderly

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Adjective

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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
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Adjective
Hybrid pic shot over several years in which a child, Germán, lives isolate in a village, surrounded by adults and elderly people. — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Then mines started to close and unemployment rose, and its owner, an elderly Italian named Netta Cavalli, was beaten in her shop and died soon after. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The film, which debuted at Cannes, follows Sakol, who, after hearing a prophecy that his elderly mother may die soon, sets out on a one-day pilgrimage to nine temples as a remedy. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elderly

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elderly was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing elderly

Browse Nearby Words

elderliness
elderly
eldern
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Cite this Entry

“Elderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderly. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on elderly

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elderly

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