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Synonyms

pensioner

American  
[pen-shuh-ner] / ˈpɛn ʃə nər /

noun

  1. a person who receives or lives on a pension.

  2. a person who works only for pay without regard to the value of the work; a hireling.

  3. a student at Cambridge University who pays the cost to dine in the commons and other expenses, and is not supported by any foundation.

  4. Obsolete. a gentleman-at-arms.

pensioner British  
/ ˈpɛnʃənə /

noun

  1. a person who is receiving a pension, esp an old-age pension from the state

  2. a person dependent on the pay or bounty of another

  3. obsolete another name for gentleman-at-arms

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of pensioner

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; from Anglo-French; pension, + -er 2 ( def. )

Vocabulary lists containing pensioner

"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?" Vocabulary from the short story

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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.

In a police interview, Doughty said he had become frustrated because the machine would not accept coins, adding that police were "more interested in ripping off a pensioner".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The pensioner, from York, applied for a year's worth of cover for her Suzuki Splash car with Swinton Insurance, believing she was fully complying with the law.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

A view echoed by pensioner Lyubov Pavlenko who called the ceasefire "wonderful" news.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Iranian pensioner Morteza Hamidi said he has seen Trump back down too many times to take his words seriously: "We are now numb to his threats," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

The final addition to the regular group at the farm was Mr. Jelliman, an amiable white pensioner and old friend of the movement who became the farm foreman.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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.