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

Instead, a not-elderly man a few rows away—perhaps even more disturbed by the tale of Phyllis’s downfall than I—became convulsed in a seizure. — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

He’s accused of swindling an elderly Tarrant County resident out of between $30,000 and $150,000, the indictment states. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026

Two weeks earlier, gangs attacked Fort Dimanche in Cité Soleil, where several elderly residents who were unable to flee their homes were killed. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

He was also accused of defrauding an elderly patient out of $35,000, according to initial reports. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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