Definition Synonyms
Definition of elder - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
age comparisonperson older than another
- She is my elder by three years.
2.
tribal authorityTECH. senior member of a tribeTECH.
- The tribal elder led the ceremony.
3.
church roleTECH. church officer with responsibilitiesTECH.
- He was appointed as an elder in the church.
4.
plantTECH. small tree with white flowers and berriesTECH.
- The elder bloomed beautifully in spring.
Adjective
1.
ageborn earlier or having greater age
- She is the elder sibling in the family.
2.
hierarchyolder or higher in rank or authority
- She consulted her elder sister about the issue..
Images of elder
small tree with white flowers and berries
Expressions with elder
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respected elderly political leader sought for advice
The senator became an elder statesman after retiring.
female sibling who is older
My elder sister is five years older than me.
shrub or small tree with white flowers and black berries
The black elder is commonly found in hedgerows and woodlands..
plant with divided leaves, white flowers, and seen as a weed
Ground elder spreads quickly in shady gardens.
respected older person in a village who guides decisions and traditions
The village elder settled the dispute between the two families.
North American maple tree with compound leaves
The box elder grows quickly in urban areas.
small European herbaceous plant with pink flowers
The garden was filled with dwarf elder.
north american shrub in salt marshes
The marsh elder thrives in the coastal salt marshes.
card player on the dealer's left
The elder hand played the first card.
Origin of elder
Old English, ealdor (older)
Terms with elder included in their meaning
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influential elder
respected elderly man with significant influence or achievements
elder
elderly man seen as eccentric, amusing, or lovable
culture
respected elder in Arab culture
elder care
place where older or disabled adults live with full-time care support
humble attitude
respect and esteem due to a superior or elder
sibling
older sister or elder sister
tribal elder
respected senior figure in a tribal society, often with religious duties
french history
person supporting the elder Bourbon line for the French throne
paternal uncle
father's elder brother in a family
family elder
grandmother, especially in Jewish culture
plant
European dwarf elder, foul-smelling shrub with toothed leaves and pale blossoms
acr: Elder Scrolls Online
online game set in a fantasy world
family elder
grandmother in informal speech
elder abuse
assault or abuse of elderly persons
culture
elder or grandparent in Hawaiian culture
family elder
grandfather, especially with Italian ancestry
Christian elder
elder in the early Christian church
clergy
church official under a bishop, sometimes called a teaching elder
religion
ruling elder in some churches
orthodox church
spiritual adviser and elder in the Eastern Orthodox Church
church theology
related to an elder-led Protestant church holding Calvinist beliefs
historical figures
related to Pliny the Younger or Pliny the Elder
culture
leader or elder in a Muslim community
fruit
dark purple berry of the elder tree
Examples of elder in a sentence
My elder has always guided me wisely. The elder shared stories of the tribe's history. An elder was consulted for his wisdom. The elder led the congregation in prayer. She consulted the elder for guidance on church matters. The elder's berries were ripe for picking.
An elder grew in the corner of the garden. My elder brother is studying abroad. The elder member of the group led the discussion. The elder statesman gave a compelling speech. He deferred to his elder colleague's experience.
View all translations of elder
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:aîné, plus âgé, ...
- German:Ältere, älter, ...
- Italian:maggiore, anziano, ...
- Spanish:mayor, primogénito, ...
- Portuguese:mais velho, mais idoso, ...
- Chinese:长者, 年长, ...
- Japanese:年上, 年上の, ...
- Arabic:الأَكْبَر سِنًّا, أَكْبَر, ...
- Hebrew:מְבוּגָר, בָּכוֹר, ...
- Russian:старший, старейшина, ...
- Ukrainian:старший, перший, ...
- Hindi:बड़ा, ज्येष्ठ, ...
Definition of old - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
time durationhaving existed for a long time
- This old castle has stood for centuries..
2.
appearanceshowing signs of age or wear
- The old book had yellowed pages and a musty smell..
3.
past statusformer or previous
- She visited her old school..
4.
aged personelderly, advanced in years
- The old man walked slowly to the corner store.
5.
familiarityfamiliar through long acquaintance
- We met at the old cafe downtown.
Noun, plural
elderly personspeople who are advanced in age
- The community center offers activities for the old..
Expressions with old
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ordinary or typical without special features
He just grabbed any old shirt from the closet.
card game where players avoid an unmatchable card
We played old maid during the family gathering.
valued for traditional style, charm, or nostalgia from the past
Her old school dress stood out at the party.
physical injuries that have not fully healed
His old wounds still ached in the cold weather.
return to previous habits after change
After a month of dieting, he went back to his old ways.
past time remembered as better or happier than now
People often talk about the good old days.
learning is possible at any age
Grandma started painting at 70, proving you're never too old to learn.
refers to something that is not new
Look at that car, that's an old one.
argue in a familiar, long-term, teasing way
They argue like an old married couple every day after dinner..
argue in a familiar, long-standing, and routine way
They argue like old married couples about small things.
argue repeatedly in a petty or familiar way
They bicker like an old married couple over small things.
someone who closely resembles one of their parents in traits or behavior
He is a chip off the old block, just like his father.
revert to previous habits or behaviors
After a month of dieting, he fell back into his old ways.
argue in a familiar nagging way like long-time partners often do
Those two fight like an old married couple over every little decision.
changing established behaviors is difficult
Old habits are hard to break, like biting nails.
it's difficult to change long-established habits
He still smokes despite his health issues; old habits die hard.
someone who has the wisdom of age during physical youth
He is an old head on young shoulders, always giving good advice.
describe meeting of older and newer generations or ideas
The conference was where old meets new in technology.
old ideas or things presented in a new way
The movie is just old wine in new bottles with a modern twist.
feels like past moments with happy memories
This party seems like old times with all my friends here!
situation that happens repeatedly
It's the same old story: he promises to help but never does.
male friend or dependable fellow
Tom is a good old boy who always helps out.
group of men with similar backgrounds who support each other
He got the job through the old boys' network of his university.
system of support among women
She advanced in her career thanks to the old girls' network.
Origin of old
Old English, ald (old)
Examples of old in a sentence
He found an old coin buried in the garden. The old chair creaked with every movement. Her old coat was frayed at the edges. He met an old friend at the reunion. They reminisced about their old neighborhood. An old woman waited by the gate.
The old couple still gardens daily. We laughed about old times at the reunion. The old bookstore on Main Street is my favorite. The old often have valuable stories to share. The city has special services for the old.
View all translations of old
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:vieux, personnes âgées, ...
- German:alt, Alte, ...
- Italian:antico, anziani, ...
- Spanish:viejo, ancianos, ...
- Portuguese:antigo, idosos, ...
- Chinese:古老的, 老人, ...
- Japanese:古い, 高齢者, ...
- Arabic:قَدِيم, كِبار السِن, ...
- Hebrew:עָתִיק, זְקֵנִים, ...
- Russian:старый, пожилые, ...
- Ukrainian:старий, старі, ...
- Hindi:पुराना, बुजुर्ग, ...
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