centenarian
Americanadjective
noun
noun
adjective
-
being at least 100 years old
-
of or relating to a centenarian
Usage
What does centenarian mean? A centenarian is someone who is 100 years old or older.Centenarian can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who’s 100 or older, as in The ceremony honored centenarian veterans, or things related to such a person, as in I have entered my centenarian years. It’s one of several similar terms used to refer to a person of a certain age, including quadragenarian (40s), quinquagenarian (50s), sexagenarian (60s), septuagenarian (70s), octogenarian (80s), and nonagenarian (90s).Someone who is 110 years or older can be called a supercentenarian. Actually, if you’re 110 or older, you can be called whatever you want.Example: I can’t believe I’m going to be a centenarian—tomorrow I turn 100!
Etymology
Origin of centenarian
First recorded in 1745–50; from Latin centenāri(us) ( centenary ) + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The centenarian said she likes to keep busy.
From BBC • Dec. 15, 2024
Having the right genes plays an important role in becoming a centenarian, says aging researcher Henne Holstege of Amsterdam University Medical Center.
From Science Magazine • Nov. 20, 2024
The centenarian is remembered by his friends as a man with “impeccable diction” and gentle spirit, but he was no shrinking violet.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024
Schallock has been signing his share of baseballs leading up to joining the rare centenarian club.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024
The programme was brought to a conclusion by the presentation to Señor Garcia of his portrait, painted by Mr Sargent, R.A., and subscribed for by international contributions of the friends and admirers of the centenarian.
From Garcia the Centenarian And His Times Being a Memoir of Manuel Garcia's Life and Labours for the Advancement of Music and Science by Mackinlay, M. (Malcolm) Sterling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
