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Synonyms

elderly

American  
[el-der-lee] / ˈɛl dər li /

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 British  
/ ˈɛldəlɪ /

adjective

    1. quite old; past middle age

    2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elderly
"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

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

Etymology

Origin of elderly

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

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.

Fiscal stimulus should focus on structural growth areas in youth and elderly care.

From The Wall Street Journal

He worries most about the elderly looking for food in the garbage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related: My elderly cousin’s nursing home coerced her into changing her will — and selling her house.

From MarketWatch

Others look after the elderly as young family members move to the U.S. and other South American countries in search of work.

From The Wall Street Journal

"This will increase the future burden of elderly care, weaken China's overall national strength, and drag on economic development," he added.

From Barron's

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.