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Definition of elderly

elderly

/ˈɛl.dɚ.li/
el · der · ly
Plural:elderly
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elderly Lexical Profile

elderly Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Old or aging; past middle age and approaching the later stages of life.

Example

"The community center offers free transportation services for elderly residents who no longer drive."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for elderly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for elderly

• noun

1

People who are old or past middle age, considered collectively (usually preceded by 'the').

Example

"Rising winter heating costs pose a serious health risk to the elderly."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for elderly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for elderly

Word Nuance & Usage

As a noun, 'elderly' is almost exclusively used as a plural collective noun preceded by 'the' (e.g., 'the elderly') to refer to older people as a group; using it in the singular ('an elderly') is considered ungrammatical in standard English.

• Nearby Words

elderberry
eldercare
elderflower
elderly
eldorado
elect
electability

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 17th century, formed from the Old English comparative noun and adjective 'elder' (meaning older) combined with the adjectival suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Elderly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/elderly
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