elderly

A2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈɛldɚli/ UK /ˈɛldəli/ See IPA manual

Freq #7627

Meanings

1

adj
Old; used as a polite way to describe an old person.

An elderly man offered his seat to the young mother.
2

noun
Old people considered as a group.

The new service helps the elderly stay in their own homes.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · old; used as a polite way... older old

2 noun · old people considered as a... aged

More elder geriatricgerontologicgerontologicalivy-coveredmatured preserved senior superannuated wintry

Opposites

young

Word family

Forms elderlierelderliest

Derived forms elderlinessillderlynonelderlyunelderlywellderly

Appears in

Phrases (4)

See all

an elderly lady
a polite way of referring to an older woman

Adjective + noun
elderly aunt
an aunt who is old

Adjective + noun
an elderly couple
two older people who are in a long-term relationship

Adjective + noun
elderly woman
an older woman, typically in her sixties or beyond

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From elder + -ly.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

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