Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for elder

elder

1

[ el-der ]

adjective

  1. of greater age; older.

    Antonyms: younger

  2. of higher rank; senior:

    an elder officer.

  3. of or relating to former times; earlier:

    Much that was forbidden by elder custom is accepted today.



noun

  1. a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself.
  2. an aged person.
  3. an influential member of a tribe or community, often a chief or ruler; a superior.
  4. (in certain Protestant churches) a lay member who is a governing officer, often assisting the pastor in services.
  5. Mormon Church. a member of the Melchizedek priesthood.

elder

2

[ el-der ]

noun

  1. any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Sambucus, of the honeysuckle family, having pinnate leaves, clusters of white flowers, and red or black, berrylike fruit.

elder

1

/ ˈɛldə /

adjective

  1. born earlier; senior Compare older
  2. (in piquet and similar card games) denoting or relating to the nondealer (the elder hand ), who has certain advantages in the play
  3. archaic.
    1. prior in rank, position, or office
    2. of a previous time; former
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. an older person; one's senior
  2. anthropol a senior member of a tribe who has influence or authority
  3. (in certain Protestant Churches) a lay office having teaching, pastoral, or administrative functions
  4. another word for presbyter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Elder

2

/ ˈɛldə /

noun

  1. ElderSir Mark Philip1947MBritishMUSIC: conductor Sir Mark Philip. born 1947, British conductor; musical director of the English National Opera (1979–93) and of the Hallé Orchestra from 2000
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

elder

3

/ ˈɛldə /

noun

  1. Also calledelderberry any of various caprifoliaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Sambucus, having clusters of small white flowers and red, purple, or black berry-like fruits
  2. any of various unrelated plants, such as box elder and marsh elder
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Usage

The word elder is being increasingly used, as a more respectful way of referring to older people: elder care , elder abuse
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈelderˌship, noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of elder1

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldra, comparative of eald, ald; old

Origin of elder2

First recorded before 900; Middle English eldre, elrene, ellerne, Old English ellærn; cognate with Middle Low German ellern
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of elder1

Old English eldra, comparative of eald old ; related to Old Norse ellri, Old High German altiro, Gothic althiza

Origin of elder2

Old English ellern; related to Old Norse elrir, Old High German erlīn, Old Slavonic jelǐcha, Latin alnus
Discover More

Synonym Study

See older.
Discover More

Example Sentences

In this country, everything is disposable and expendable, and our elders are one of the greatest resources we have in this country and in the world.

Mallott took the stage, talking about his youth in Southeast Alaska and the importance of elders and youths working together to improve safety, security and respect.

An elder sister whose eyes were always forlorn had revealed that her husband used to whip her and that she had even thought of ending her life.

From Ozy

After the game, the elder Thompson intercepted a reporter’s question about the shirts directed at his son.

Nursing homes and other elder care facilities have needed to change since well before coronavirus.

From Quartz

“Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer,” the elder Brown had said last week in a public-service video.

Our escort, Hajji Zalwar Khan, is the chief elder in charge of the valley council.

As another elder in the valley put it—perhaps more succinctly—“emotions are for women.”

He speaks of her much as he might of his elder son, the SEAL.

William Kristol, the editor of The Weekly Standard, was in rare agreement with the elder Paul.

Here the speaker, putting her hand before her mouth, coughed again, and looked affectionately at the elder Mr. Weller.

“My sister is passionately fond of children,” said the elder lady, in smiling apology.

"All right, Pater," you would say, and leave the matter in the hands of the elder generation.

You see, your two elder brothers went to the University, but then we could find them family livings.

Moreover, it circulated over all the state where the Elder was well known, and gave the gossips great food for delight.

Advertisement

Related Words

Discover More

More About Elder

What does elder mean?

Elder describes something or someone older. For example, if you have two sons, one is the elder son (the older one, born first) and one is the junior son (the younger one, born second).

Elder also describes being of higher rank, or more senior.

An elder is an old person. Old might depend on who you ask. To a 5-year-old child, a 50-year-old person might seem old, while to an 80-year-old, that 50-year-old is young. However, elder always means someone older than you.

An elder is also an influential person in a community, often a ruler or part of a committee of rulers, and often older or more senior than most people in the community.

An elder is also a tree in the honeysuckle family. Elderflowers and elderberries come from an elder tree.

Example: Of the queen’s two daughters, the elder became queen, while the younger became a great warrior.

Where does elder come from?

The first records of the term elder meaning “older” come from before the year 900.

It ultimately comes from the Old English word eldra.

The first records of the term elder referring to a type of tree also come from before the year 900. It ultimately comes from the Old English word ellaern.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for elder?

What are some words that share a root or word element with elder?

What are some words that often get used in discussing elder?

What are some words elder may be commonly confused with?

How is elder used in real life?

Elder is a common word used to refer to someone older or more senior than the speaker. It’s also used to refer to trees or shrubs from the honeysuckle family.

 

 

Try using elder!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of elder?

A. youngster
B. senior
C. veteran
D. matriarch

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


eldelderberry