the elder

noun

1

—used in comparing the ages of two people who are members of the same family

He's the elder of her two brothers.

2

—used to refer to the older of two people (such as a father and son) who have the same name

Pliny the Elder and his nephew Pliny the Younger

Examples of the elder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ivan, the younger son, is doubtful and skeptical of his father, whereas Andrey, the elder, is faithful and trusting—the twin archetypes of man’s relation to the divine. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

This weekend, Jordyn Woods and sister Jodie Woods showed up in coordinated heels for a New York City popup event for the elder sister’s brand, Woods by Jordyn. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026

For years, the duo drove around Jersey, Mauro offering tidbits of wisdom from his lifetime as the elder statesman of the New York bagel industry. — HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026

Professor Frink reanimates his formerly deceased father after winning the Nobel Prize, but the elder Frink, not content with his current body, steals parts and organs from other humans. — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for the elder

• welder