elderly

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

plural elderly or elderlies

: an elderly person

elderliness

3 of 3

noun (2)

el·​der·​li·​ness

ˈeldə(r)lēnə̇s, 

-lin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being elderly

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

His exploration into this magical world leads him to an eccentric old man called the Chicken Man (Johnson), and his elderly chicken companion Claudia. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 July 2026

The order’s most disturbing findings detailed the death of an elderly man on Sunday. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

The term was coined in 1981 based on the cases of four elderly women in Wisconsin who, like the man, had severe destruction of their shoulder joints and massive tears to their rotator cuffs. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

According to prosecutors, Muslim is accused of attacking two elderly women near Broadway and West Grand Avenue in Oakland on July 26. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (1)

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