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

Dade’s maternal grandmother, Beverly Anderson, told WKBW-TV that her granddaughter worked as a health aide for elderly people and aspired to become a nurse. — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Their cute, elderly golden retriever, Cassie, is used for such baldly emotionally manipulative ends. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026

Parents raised concerns over their children and elderly relatives. — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Li grounded the point in her own experience caring for elderly parents. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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