nonagenarian

noun

no·​na·​ge·​nar·​i·​an ˌnō-nə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən How to pronounce nonagenarian (audio)
ˌnä-
: a person whose age is in the nineties
nonagenarian adjective

Examples of nonagenarian in a Sentence

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.
Kamen’s screenplay was very loosely based on her own grandmother’s experience as a lonely nonagenarian moving to New York City, and Kamen always envisaged June Squibb in the title role. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 25 June 2025 The transition proves difficult when the nonagenarian realizes that no one has any time for her. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 More scenes of the nonagenarian grappling with the realities of that mourning would have strengthened the film by offering a more persuasive foundation for her later decisions. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 And, on the face of it, an indie film about a nonagenarian might seem an unusual choice for the feature directorial debut of the highest-grossing actress of all time. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonagenarian

Word History

Etymology

Latin nonagenarius containing ninety, from nonageni ninety each, from nonaginta ninety, from nona- (akin to novem nine) + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty) — more at nine, vigesimal

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonagenarian was in 1804

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Cite this Entry

“Nonagenarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonagenarian. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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