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

Responding to ground zero On the morning of 9/11, Thomas Wilson, an NYPD sergeant, was investigating a burglary of an elderly couple in Brooklyn when calls came in over his radio that an object had hit the World Trade Center. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

In the film, Efira plays Marie-Lou, who runs a care facility outside Paris and pushes for gentler treatment of its elderly residents. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

This one stars Horgan herself as a 50-year-old divorcée taking care of her elderly parents and adult son while looking for love. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

The government said many victims were elderly and vulnerable. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 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