el ‧ der ‧ ly S3 W2 /ˈeldəli $ ˈeldərli/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . used as a polite way of saying that someone is old or becoming old:
a well-dressed elderly woman
2 . the elderly people who are old:
a retirement village for the elderly
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THESAURUS
■ person
▪ old having lived for a long time:
an old man
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I’m too old to learn a new language.
▪ elderly a polite word for old:
an elderly lady
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a home for the elderly (=elderly people)
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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
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the problems of an ageing population
▪ aged /ˈeɪdʒəd, ˈeɪdʒɪd/ [only before noun] written aged relatives are very old:
aged parents
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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
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geriatric patients