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elderly

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adjective American English pronunciation: elderly /ˈeldərli/
  1. an elderly person is old. Many people now think that this word is offensive but it is often used in talking about policies and conditions that affect old people

    An elderly gentleman was standing at the hotel counter.

    Not all elderly people can live with their relatives.

    This treatment is unsuitable for patients who are elderly and frail.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of elderly
    1. a.

      the elderly

       old people. Many people now think that this expression is offensive.
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of elderly
      See also  old

This is the American English definition of elderly. View British English definition of elderly.

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