el·der·ly
ˈel-dər-lē 
1
a
: rather old
especially
: being past middle age
b
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of later life or elderly persons
elderliness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of elderly in a Sentence
Adjective
The program is intended to provide medical care for elderly people.
elderly people who stay active are usually the healthiest and the happiest
Recent Examples on the Web
Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
The program has since grown to include nearly 3,000 elderly listeners attending to more than 200,000 people all over Zimbabwe, and is now expanding to vulnerable communities in nine countries, including the United States.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2025
See, there’s a second case-of-the-week this week, involving Autry (Hal Williams), the helpful elderly witness from back in Matlock’s second episode.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Ali is a directionless and rebellious 17-year-old girl with an overprotective mother who eventually finds her passion in music after taking piano lessons from an elderly woman in her apartment building.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elderly 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
John also told us his elderly neighbors were without service.
—Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
The program has since grown to include nearly 3,000 elderly listeners attending to more than 200,000 people all over Zimbabwe, and is now expanding to vulnerable communities in nine countries, including the United States.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2025
See, there’s a second case-of-the-week this week, involving Autry (Hal Williams), the helpful elderly witness from back in Matlock’s second episode.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Ali is a directionless and rebellious 17-year-old girl with an overprotective mother who eventually finds her passion in music after taking piano lessons from an elderly woman in her apartment building.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elderly
Dictionary Entries Near elderly
Cite this Entry
“Elderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderly. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share