elderly

1 of 2

adjective

el·​der·​ly ˈel-dər-lē How to pronounce elderly (audio)
Synonyms of elderlynext
1
a
: rather old
especially : being past middle age
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Earlier this year, those pressures became personal for Embrey when a car crashed through Lost Girls Vintage’s Division Street storefront after an elderly driver exiting a nearby drive-thru mistook the gas pedal for the brake. Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 May 2026 Tight budgets, growing attacks Until recently, paying family members to care for disabled and elderly relatives had broad bipartisan support as a practical solution to a growing home-care crisis. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 15 May 2026 Her imperious, elderly father Herrmann (Sylvester Groth) has become disinhibited by dementia and is prone to touching his female caretaker (Patrycja Ziółkowska ) inappropriately, a problem Elsa doesn’t want to face any more than Lucy does. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 This nonprofit equine sanctuary provides elderly horses with room to roam. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for elderly

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elderly was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Elderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderly. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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

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