elderly

[el-der-lee]

adjective

1. of advanced age; old.

   discounts for elderly patrons.

2. of or relating to persons in later life.

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the elderly elderly people collectively; senior citizens.

elderly

/ ˈɛldəlɪ /

adjective

1. 1. quite old; past middle age

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elderly

Usage

Referring to any group using the formula the elderly , the disabled is nowadays felt to be inappropriate because it glosses over people's individuality and perpetuates stereotypes. It is preferable to use phrases such as disabled people and so forth. Many people also prefer to talk about older rather than elderly people for similar reasons

Other Word Forms

• elderliness noun
• nonelderly noun
• unelderly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elderly¹

First recorded in 1605–15; elder ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

"It's very difficult right now. The water has reached the second floor, where there are children, the elderly, the sick, and the disabled!!!"

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On Friday, Japan reportedly issued a national alert with flu cases surging and hospitalizations increasing, especially among children and the elderly, accompanied by a sharp rise in school and class closures.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In another clip, federal agents detained an elderly man sitting on the sidewalk near a liquor store, “making sure to put a handcuff on his hand as they helped him up.”

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China will sent new giant pandas to France, a Chinese embassy official said, as an elderly pair was set to fly back home from Paris on Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

The commissioner added many elderly victims were still struggling with the trauma of what happened to them and still fighting for compensation.

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Related Words

• aged 
• aging 
• old 
• retired