elderly

elderly — adjective

1. used to describe a person who has lived a long time, especially when you want to

1.形容詞B1
釋義

used to describe a person who has lived a long time, especially when you want to refer to their age in a kind, respectful way rather than using the more direct word 'old'.

例句

The hospital offers special services for elderly patients who need extra care.

attributive use: elderly + noun (patients)

Greta's elderly aunt still lives alone and tends to her garden every morning.

同義詞
  • old

    the direct, neutral term; can sound blunt in sensitive contexts

  • aged

    formal, often found in official documents and medical writing

  • senior

    modern and respectful, common in compounds like 'senior citizen'

  • older

    comparative form with a gentler tone; often preferred by older people themselves

反義詞
  • young

    the straightforward opposite in age

文法句型

elderly + noun (attributive)

用法筆記

Unlike 'old,' which can feel direct or blunt, 'elderly' is widely seen as more respectful. However, some older people prefer terms like 'older adult' or 'senior' — the best choice depends on the person and the situation.

常見錯誤

❌My grandma is very elderly but still walks every day.
✅My grandma is elderly but still walks every day.
💡Avoid intensifiers like 'very' or 'extremely' with 'elderly'; the word already implies a high degree of age.

elderly — noun