Showing results for "eldest"

• superlative of old.

eldest

American  

[el-dist] / ˈɛl dɪst /

adjective

1. oldest; firstborn; of greatest age: eldest sister;

   eldest brother;

   eldest sister;

   eldest born.

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eldest British  

/ ˈɛldɪst /

adjective

1. being the oldest, esp the oldest surviving child of the same parents

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Etymology

Origin of eldest

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldesta, superlative of eald, ald; see old

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Explanation

Someone who's described as eldest in their family was born first. Your eldest sister is the oldest one. Use the adjective eldest when you're describing people in terms of birth order: the oldest is the eldest. Your eldest friend is older than your other friends. You can also use the word as a noun, meaning "firstborn." Your mom might introduce you by saying, "This is my eldest." It's a somewhat formal, old fashioned word, much less popular today than "oldest."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eldest

Riding to victory with him was Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's eldest son, who became Indonesia's vice president.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

The report described her eldest daughter, Isra Hirsi, pulling into the driveway after dark and carrying a bag into the house.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

Being the eldest son of Spartacus wasn’t easy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Their eldest son, 26-year-old Ortiz Jr., is near the end of his enlistment and was planning to buy a house in Riverside for his wife and two young children to start their next chapter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

“Hanna, stop that,” the eldest daughter, Sarah, called from behind the counter.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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Related Words

• earlier

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