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

Horrifying video posted by authorities in June showed a small Russian drone target an elderly woman in a wheelchair – an attack that killed three people, including the 87-year-old woman and her son. — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Florida has executed the oldest prisoner in its history, the latest in a spate of capital punishments against elderly death-row inmates. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 16 July 2026

The daughter in the tree, his wife, his elderly parents, and six more children besides. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

Efira stars as Marie-Lou, the director of an elderly care facility who is fighting to institute a philosophy of care built on listening and respect for her residents’ dignity, over the resistance of her own staff. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

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