Elderly: Definition, Examples, and Polite Usage

Meaning 1：older (elderly)

elderly 🔊

/ˈɛldərli/

adj.

A more polite and respectful way to say 'old', used to describe people who are quite advanced in age.

Elderly couple smiling on park bench in sunny weather

older 🔊

➕

/ˈoʊldər/

adj.

Describes people who are quite advanced in age, used as a polite and respectful alternative to 'old'.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Elder (comparative of 'old') + -ly = 'pertaining to older age'.

💡 Mnemonic

Elder + ly: an elder is wise; 'elderly' describes their respectful age.

📖 Example

The community library has special reading programs and comfortable chairs tailored for the elderly. 🔊 The community library has special reading programs and comfortable chairs tailored for the elderly.

🔗 Collocations

elderly people – people who are old and often need care

elderly care – medical and social services for older people

elderly parents – parents who are advanced in age

🔄 Synonyms

aged (adj.) – Having lived for a long time; old.

senior (adj.) – Of or for older people, especially as a polite term.

geriatric (adj.) – Relating to old age and the care of aged people.

🚫 Antonyms

young (adj.) – Having lived for only a short time; not old.

youthful (adj.) – Young or seeming young.

juvenile (adj.) – Relating to young people or children.

🌱 Derivatives

elder (n.) – An older person, especially one with authority.

elderliness (n.) – The state or condition of being elderly.

📖 Cultural Story

Elderly emerged in 18th century as a polite euphemism for 'old'.