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

Authorities were working to identify some of the victims, most of whom were elderly women. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025

Owners vow new appeal in case of CT dog that killed an elderly woman Six-year court battle over the dog that killed an elderly woman is on track to continue even as total expenses run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. —Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 15 May 2025

An elderly Hawaii man has received a life sentence for raping and brutally killing a teenage girl in a case that went cold for four decades, authorities said. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 15 May 2025

An elderly man was mowed down and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Brooklyn on May 10 — just seconds after the same driver smashed into a nearby vehicle, cops said Wednesday. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 15 May 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