quadragenarian

[kwod-ruh-juh-nair-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. 40 years of age.

2. between the ages of 40 and 50.

noun

1. a person who is 40 years old or whose age falls between 40 and 50.

quadragenarian

/ ˌkwɒdrədʒɪˈnɛərɪən /

noun

1. a person who is between 40 and 49 years old

adjective

1. being from 40 to 49 years old

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadragenarian¹

1830–40; < Latin quadrāgēnāri ( us ) consisting of forty ( quādrāgēn ( ī ) forty each + -ārius -ary ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadragenarian¹

C19: from Latin quadrāgēnārius consisting of forty, from quādrāgintā forty

Example Sentences

He surpassed 300 yards passing in a playoff game for the 13th time, making every throw imaginable and some outside those bounds, submitting a classic performance in his first as a quadragenarian.

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The Yankees scheduled starter, Andy Pettitte, turned 40 on Friday, so he will be making his first start as a quadragenarian.

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Pettitte will make his first start as a quadragenarian Saturday afternoon against the Washington Nationals, looking to continue his strong start to the season.

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As factors in racial evolution, the youth of each successive generation, not its quadragenarians, are of interest and importance.

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Accordingly, as in the whole of heaven there is no quadragenarian to be found, a child will be as old there as Nestor, namely, thirty-two years and three months.

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When To Use

What does quadragenarian mean?

A quadragenarian is someone in their 40s (40 to 49 years old), or someone who is 40 years old.Quadragenarian can also be used as an adjective to describe someone in their 40s, as in I never thought I’d be a quadragenarian grandmother, or things related to such a person, as in I have entered my quadragenarian years. It’s one of several similar terms used to refer to a person of a certain age, including quinquagenarian (50s), sexagenarian (60s), septuagenarian (70s), octogenarian (80s), and nonagenarian (90s).Quadragenarian is rarely used. Such words are much more commonly used for older people, especially septuagenarians and octogenarians.Example: Today is my last day as a quadragenarian—tomorrow I begin my 50s!