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

More About Quadragenarian

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!

Where does quadragenarian come from?

The first records of the word quadragenarian come from the 1830s. It comes from the Latin word quadrāgēnāri(us), meaning “consisting of forty,” from quādrāgēn(ī), “forty each.” The suffix -an is used to indicate a person (as seen in common words like pedestrian and historian).

Chances are that you know plenty of quadragenarians, but you’ve never heard them called that. That’s because it’s much more common to refer to someone as a 40-year-old or describe them as in their 40s or 40-something. When it is used, it’s probably to be funny (perhaps to make someone sound older than they really are) or just to use a fancy word.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for quadragenarian?

• 40-year-old
• forty-year-old
• 40-something
• forty-something

What are some words that share a root or word element with quadragenarian? 

• Quadragesima
• Quadragesimal
• quinquagenarian
• sexagenarian
• septuagenarian
• octogenarian
• nonagenarian
• centenarian

What are some words that often get used in discussing quadragenarian?

• forty
• age
• year
• old
• decade
• life
• birthday
• milestone

How is quadragenarian used in real life?

Quadragenarian is not commonly used. When it is, it’s typically to be funny or for the sake of using a rare word.

OK…I'll give you that. Pretty amazing when any quadragenarian plays at a high level in any sport.

But I think Jamie Moyer's 2010 performance for the Phillies at age 47 and Nolan Ryan's aged 42-44 year old seasons for the Rangers are truly mind blowing!!!

— Renaissance Man (@savanarola5) January 18, 2020

Happy birthday! I become a quadragenarian this year. 40s are the new 30s, right? RIGHT?!

— Lee Madgwick (@LeeMadgwick) January 17, 2020

NEW POD – sprightly sexagenarian @simonmayo and @KermodeMovie (still a slip of a quinquagenarian) with Cate Blanchett and @jackblack (mere quadragenarians), @housewithaclock, @TLS_film, @ASimpleFavor and more. DOWNLOAD and SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/zDeHSXKxNW

— Kermode and Mayo's Film Review (@wittertainment) September 21, 2018

 

 

Try using quadragenarian!

Is quadragenarian used correctly in the following sentence?

Somehow, he became a quadragenarian great-uncle!