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 of elderly

Adjective

• older
• aging
• aged
• old

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

But nationwide, experts say the new approach could cost 170,000 people their homes, including many who are elderly or disabled. —Jim Morrill, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025

Police in San Francisco are searching for a dog who ran away following an attack involving the dog's elderly owner over the weekend. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Cashmir Chinedu Luke is the CEO of Four Corners Health, which provides in-home nursing and support care for elderly veterans across several counties in the Bay Area. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

The ranch houses donkeys, horses, goats, pigs, chickens and elderly cats who would otherwise face euthanasia. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 10 Dec. 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