octogenarian

noun

oc·​to·​ge·​nar·​i·​an ˌäk-tə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən 

: a person whose age is in the eighties

The octogenarian uses a cane for walking.

octogenarian adjective

Examples of octogenarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Attrition is inevitable in a group of octogenarians, but I was struck by how devoted the RONettes are to one another. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

As an octogenarian herself, Atomi acknowledged the need to replicate the research among an older, larger population. — Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026

According to the probable cause statement, 59-year-old English-Wheat, who was both Prindle's caretaker and next-door neighbor, later revealed to police that the octogenarian had been dead for more than three years. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Former President Joe Biden, an octogenarian while in office, ultimately dropped his 2024 reelection bid amid a chorus of concerns about his age and fitness for office. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin octogenarius containing eighty, from octogeni eighty each, from octoginta eighty, from octo eight + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty) — more at vigesimal

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for octogenarian

• antiquarian
• libertarian
• millenarian
• nonsectarian
• proletarian
• sanitarian
• trinitarian
• unitarian
• vegetarian
• veterinarian
• agrarian
• aquarian

Kids Definition

octogenarian

noun

oc·​to·​ge·​nar·​i·​an ˌäk-tə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən 

: a person whose age is between 80 and 89

Medical Definition

octogenarian

noun

oc·​to·​ge·​nar·​i·​an ˌäk-tə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən 

: a person whose age is in the eighties

octogenarian adjective