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

With the peak of the baby-boomer generation turning 65 this year and the eldest of them hitting 80, caregiving is a hot-button issue.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 13, 2026

Cárdenas was the eldest son of Gen. Lázaro Cárdenas, the most popular Mexican president of the 20th century, who nationalized foreign oil companies and championed the poor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

"Our eldest is the most severe. He's had anaphylaxis in the past," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

The report described her eldest daughter, Isra Hirsi, pulling into the driveway after dark and carrying a bag into the house.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

The last time she told the story she liked to tell about the eldest was when Carla got married.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• earlier

---