Elder — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈel-dər/ el·der

Meaning & Definition of Elder

Elder (noun)

  1. elderberry
  2. one living in an earlier period
  3. one who is older, senior
  4. an aged person

Elder (adjective)

  1. of earlier birth or greater age
  2. of or relating to earlier times, former
  3. of or relating to a more advanced time of life

Elder (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person of advanced years

    "in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect"

    similar: ancient, geriatric, golden-ager, old-timer, oldster, senior, senior citizen
    related: gaffer, graybeard, patriarch, whitebeard, beldam, dowager, grandam, adult, grown-up, dotard
    opposite: youngster, youth
    near: adolescent, minor, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie

  2. one who is above another in rank, station, or office

    "as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do"

    similar: better, senior, superior
    related: boss, chief, head, leader, master
    opposite: inferior, subordinate, underling
    near: assistant, deputy

  3. one who is older than another

    "it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders"

    similar: senior
    related: ancestor, forerunner, predecessor
    opposite: junior
    near: contemporary, peer, descendant, successor

  4. the senior member of a group

    "as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies"

    similar: dean, doyen, elder statesman, éminence grise, nestor, senior
    related: better, superior, old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    opposite: baby, junior
    near: doyenne, inferior, subordinate, underling, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro

Related Entry: Elder statesman (noun)

Elder statesman is a different word from Elder. The synonyms below are for elder statesman, not for elder.

  1. the senior member of a group

    "the elder statesman of the White House correspondents is finally retiring after nearly a half century of service"

    similar: dean, doyen, elder, éminence grise, nestor, senior
    related: better, superior, old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    opposite: baby, junior
    near: doyenne, inferior, subordinate, underling, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro

Related Entry: Elder statesmen (noun)

Elder statesmen is a different word from Elder. The synonyms below are for elder statesmen, not for elder.

  1. the senior member of a group

    "the elder statesman of the White House correspondents is finally retiring after nearly a half century of service"

    similar: deans, doyens, elders, éminences grises, nestors, seniors
    related: betters, superiors, old hands, old-timers, veterans, vets
    opposite: babies, juniors
    near: doyennes, inferiors, subordinates, underlings, beginners, colts, fledglings, freshmen, greenhorns, neophytes, newbies, newcomers, novices, recruits, rookies, tenderfeet, tyros

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Elder

The most common words with a similar meaning to Elder:

ancient, geriatric, golden-ager, old-timer, oldster, senior, senior citizen, better, superior, dean, doyen, elder statesman, éminence grise, nestor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Elder

Words with the opposite meaning of Elder:

youngster, youth, inferior, subordinate, underling, junior, baby

Related Words for Elder

gaffer, graybeard, patriarch, whitebeard, beldam, dowager, grandam, adult, grown-up, dotard, boss, chief, head, leader, master, ancestor, forerunner, predecessor, old hand, vet, veteran

Near Antonyms of Elder

adolescent, minor, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie, assistant, deputy, contemporary, peer, descendant, successor, doyenne, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro

Word Forms of Elder

Derived words: eldership (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Elder

Middle English eldre, from Old English ellærn; perhaps akin to Old English alor alder alder

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Elder

elder statesman, box elder, marsh elder, the elder, eldercare

Frequently Asked Questions about Elder

What does "Elder" mean?

"Elder" means elderberry. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: elderberry. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Elder"?

Other words for "Elder" include ancient, geriatric, golden-ager, old-timer, oldster, senior, senior citizen and better. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Elder" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Elder"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Elder". Common alternatives include ancient, geriatric, golden-ager, old-timer, oldster, senior, senior citizen, better, superior and dean.

What is the opposite of "Elder"?

Antonyms of "Elder" include youngster, youth, inferior, subordinate, underling, junior and baby. Near antonyms include adolescent, minor, child and cub.

How do you use "Elder" in a sentence?

Examples of "Elder" in a sentence: "in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect"; "as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do"; "it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders".

Is "Elder" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Elder" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Elder"?

"Elder" is pronounced /ˈel-dər/ and divided into syllables as el·der.

What is the origin of the word "Elder"?

"Elder" comes from Middle English eldre, from Old English ellærn; perhaps akin to Old English alor alder alder. First known use: before 12th century.