old having lived for a long time:
an old man I’m too old to learn a new language.elderly a polite word for old:
an elderly lady a home for the elderly (=elderly people) If you are elderly, you may be eligible for financial assistance.aging (
also ageing British English)
[only before noun] becoming old:
an ageing rock star the problems of an ageing populationaged /ˈeɪdʒəd, ˈeɪdʒɪd/
[only before noun] written aged relatives are very old:
aged parents She had to look after her aged aunt.elder brother/sister especially British English [only before noun] an older brother or sister.
Elder sounds more formal than
older:
I have two elder brothers.ancient [not usually before noun] informal very old – used humorously:
I’ll be 30 next year – it sounds really ancient!be getting on (in years) informal to be fairly old:
He’s 60 now, so he’s getting on a bit.be over the hill (
also be past it British English)
informal to be too old to do something:
Everyone thinks you’re past it when you get to 40.geriatric [only before noun] relating to medical care and treatment for old people:
a geriatric hospital geriatric patientsantique antique furniture, clocks, jewellery etc are old and often valuable:
an antique writing deskage-old used about traditions, problems, or situations that have existed for a very long time:
the age-old tradition of morris dancing the age-old prejudice against women in positions of power the age-old problem of nationalism age-old hatreds between religious groups [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲