codger

American  

[koj-er] / ˈkɒdʒ ər /

noun

1. an eccentric man, especially one who is old.

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codger British  

/ ˈkɒdʒə /

noun

1. informal a man, esp an old or eccentric one: a term of affection or mild derision (often in the phrase old codger )

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Etymology

Origin of codger

1750–60; perhaps variant of obsolete cadger; see cadge ¹

Explanation

A codger is an endearing old guy. Your tiny, eccentric grandfather might be thought of as a codger by his neighbors. You can use codger to talk about a funny old man, especially if you're fond of him. While it's common for codger to be a term of affection, it may be seen as derogatory by the person labeled that way, so it's best to use it cautiously. You might laugh with your siblings about the codger next door, but you should probably do it quietly. The word stems from cadger, which is a now-obsolete word for "beggar."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

codger

Providing a nonstop stream of eccentric social commentary, improbable memories and terrible jokes, Harry is an amiable codger who has no filter whatsoever.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

Years later, the Azusa Herald quoted an old codger of a prospector — aren’t they all codgers? — that the Eldoradoville inundation “never stopped until it brought up in San Pedro Harbor.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2025

“Thelma,” a mildly amusing, highly improbable codger comedy, is so typical of a certain kind of Sundance movie — sentimental, quirky, ingratiatingly likable — that it feels instantly familiar.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2024

Johnson says that you have three options when it comes to adoption: “another old codger, a pair of kittens, or nothing at all.”

From Slate ● May 30, 2019

Looking at Grandpa, Mama said, “Papa, this is the silliest thing I ever heard of, an old codger like you, going to town to read monkey books.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls