Elderly vs. Old: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on September 11, 2023
"Elderly" is often used to describe people in the later stages of life, usually past retirement age. While, "old" also indicating advanced age, can apply to objects, ideas, and people, and is a more general and less nuanced term.
Difference Between Elderly and Old
"Elderly" and "old" both refer to a stage in life characterized by advanced age, but they are not interchangeable. The term "elderly" is usually reserved for humans and is often used in a more respectful, specific context, generally denoting people who are past the age of retirement. On the other hand, "old" is a more generic term that can be used to describe not just people, but also objects, buildings, and even ideas.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
"Elderly" is often associated with a need for extra care, social services, or medical attention, "old" does not inherently convey these associations. The term "elderly" is frequently used in formal and medical contexts to describe a demographic that might require additional support and resources. While, "old" lacks this specialized meaning and can simply denote that something has been in existence for a long time.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
The word "elderly" often invokes a sense of dignity, and it's commonly employed in a way that is sensitive to the experience and wisdom that comes with age. "Old," in contrast, can sometimes be used in a derogatory manner, although this largely depends on context.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
"Elderly" is an adjective but can also function as a collective noun (the elderly) to describe a group of older people. "Old" is more flexible grammatically; it can be used as an adjective, a noun, and even as a verb ("to old" something, though this is archaic). Both words do overlap when describing people of advanced years, but "elderly" is more often used when a greater level of respect or specificity is desired.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
Elderly vs. Old Comparison Chart
Connotation
Respectful, dignified
Neutral or derogatory, depending on context
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Elderly vs. Old Definitions
◉Elderly
Requiring additional medical or social services due to age.
He specializes in elderly care.
Kaitlyn
Sep 06, 2023
◉Elderly
Demonstrating the characteristics associated with advanced age.
She has an elderly demeanor.
Elijah
Sep 06, 2023
◉Elderly
A collective noun for a group of older people.
The elderly are a vital part of our community.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 06, 2023
◉Old
Having lived or existed for a relatively long time; far advanced in years or life.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Elderly
In a later stage of life, usually past retirement age.
The elderly couple walked hand in hand in the park.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 06, 2023
◉Elderly
Of, relating to, or characteristic of older persons or life in later years.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Of or relating to a long life or to people who have had long lives
a ripe old age.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having or exhibiting the physical characteristics of age
a prematurely old face.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Elderly
pl. elderly (used with a pl. verb) Older people considered as a group. Often used with the
special recreational programs for the elderly.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having or exhibiting the wisdom of age; mature
a child who is old for his years.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having lived or existed for a specified length of time
She was 12 years old.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Skilled or able through long experience; practiced
He is an old hand at doing home repairs.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Elderly
Somewhat old; advanced beyond middle age; bordering on old age; as, elderly people.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Belonging to a remote or former period in history; ancient
old fossils.
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May 03, 2023
◉Elderly
advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables);
aged members of the society
elderly residents could remember the construction of the first skyscraper
senior citizen
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Elderly
Used as a respectful term for older individuals.
Elderly people often have a wealth of experience to share.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 06, 2023
◉Old
often Old Being the earlier or earliest of two or more related objects, stages, versions, or periods.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Used as an intensive
Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Of an object, concept, relationship, etc., having existed for a relatively long period of time.
an old abandoned building
an old friend
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Of a living being, having lived for most of the expected years.
a wrinkled old man
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Of a perishable item, having existed for most of, or more than, its shelf life.
an old loaf of bread
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Of a species or language, belonging to a lineage that is distantly related others
the ginkgo is one of the oldest living trees
Basque is the oldest language in Europe
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having been used and thus no longer new or unused.
I find that an old toothbrush is good to clean the keyboard with.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Having existed or lived for the specified time.
How old are they? She’s five years old and he's seven. We also have a young teen and a two-year-old child.
My great-grandfather lived to be a hundred and one years old.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Former, previous.
My new car is not as good as my old one.
a school reunion for Old Etonians
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
That is no longer in existence.
The footpath follows the route of an old railway line.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Obsolete; out-of-date.
That is the old way of doing things; now we do it this way.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Familiar.
When he got drunk and quarrelsome they just gave him the old heave-ho.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
(UK) Being a graduate or alumnus of a school, especially a public school.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Tiresome after prolonged repetition.
Your constant pestering is getting old.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Said of subdued colors, particularly reds, pinks and oranges, as if they had faded over time.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
A grammatical intensifier, often used in describing something positive, and combined with another adjective.
We're having a good old time.
My next car will be a big old SUV.
My wife makes the best little old apple pie in Texas.
any old
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
|invariable plural only}} People who are old; old beings; the older generation, taken as a group.
A civilised society should always look after the old in the community.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
(slang) A person older than oneself, especially an adult in relation to a teenager.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
One's parents.
I had to sneak out to meet my girlfriend and tell the olds I was going to the library.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
A typically dark-coloured lager brewed by the traditional top-fermentation method.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree.
Let not old age disgrace my high desire.
The melancholy news that we grow old.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an old friendship.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Formerly existing; ancient; not modern; preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; - designating the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a cathedral centuries old.
And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Long practiced; hence, skilled; experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in vice.
Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Long cultivated; as, an old farm; old land, as opposed to new land, that is, to land lately cleared.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use; past usefulness; as, old shoes; old clothes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
More than enough; abundant.
If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; - used disparagingly as a term of reproach.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
Old-fashioned; wonted; customary; as of old; as, the good old times; hence, colloquially, gay; jolly.
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May 03, 2023
◉Old
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age; especially not young; often used as a combining form to indicate an age as specified as in `a week-old baby';
an old man's eagle mind
his mother is very old
a ripe old age
how old are you?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
of long duration; not new;
old tradition
old house
old wine
old country
old friendships
old money
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
lacking originality or spontaneity; no longer new;
moth-eaten theories about race
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
just preceding something else in time or order;
the previous owner
my old house was larger
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
of a very early stage in development;
Old English is also called Anglo Saxon
Old High German is High German from the middle of the 9th to the end of the 11th century
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Old
used informally especially for emphasis;
a real honest-to-god live cowboy
had us a high old time
went upriver to look at a sure-enough fish wheel
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
Elderly vs. Old Frequently Asked Questions
Is elderly a more respectful term than old?
Generally, elderly is considered a more respectful and specific term when talking about people.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is elderly used in medical contexts?
Elderly is often used in medical and formal contexts to denote people who may require extra care or services.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
Does old imply a need for extra care?
The term old does not inherently convey a need for extra medical or social services.
Kaitlyn
Sep 11, 2023
Can elderly function as a noun?
Yes, elderly can also function as a collective noun to describe a group of older people.
Nolan
Sep 11, 2023
Can old be used for objects?
Yes, old can be used to describe objects, ideas, and people.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Can old have a derogatory meaning?
The term old can sometimes be used in a derogatory manner, depending on the context.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Can old function as a verb?
Old can function as an adjective, a noun, and even as a verb in archaic usage.
Leo
Sep 11, 2023
Is old a neutral term?
Old is generally a neutral term, but its connotation can change based on context.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
Is elderly always used for humans?
Elderly is primarily used to describe humans.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is elderly associated with dignity?
The term elderly often invokes a sense of dignity and respect.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
