Showing results for "eldest"

• superlative of old.

eldest

American  

[el-dist] / ˈɛl dɪst /

adjective

1. oldest; firstborn; of greatest age: eldest sister;

   eldest brother;

   eldest sister;

   eldest born.

---

eldest British  

/ ˈɛldɪst /

adjective

1. being the oldest, esp the oldest surviving child of the same parents

---

Etymology

Origin of eldest

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldesta, superlative of eald, ald; see old

Explanation

Someone who's described as eldest in their family was born first. Your eldest sister is the oldest one. Use the adjective eldest when you're describing people in terms of birth order: the oldest is the eldest. Your eldest friend is older than your other friends. You can also use the word as a noun, meaning "firstborn." Your mom might introduce you by saying, "This is my eldest." It's a somewhat formal, old fashioned word, much less popular today than "oldest."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eldest

Arnault’s eldest son, Antoine, oversees LVMH’s communications and image, while Xavier Niel, the telecoms billionaire and longtime partner of Arnault’s daughter Delphine, is a shareholder in Le Monde.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the president’s eldest sons, have a portfolio of tech companies that are raking in billions from the Pentagon.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

Her youngest will receive some chapter books to help them transition into Year 3, while her eldest is moving to secondary school, and Dahlia has prepped suitable books to bridge that gap from primary.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

Katherine was the eldest of three children Short shared with his late wife, Nancy.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

She then sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make enquiries on the same subject of Bingley.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Related Words

• earlier