Elderly meaning in English
Learn how to use Elderly correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
elderly: aged, older, senior, elder, of an advanced age
You should respect the elderly, as they are older and wiser than us.
elderly people: old people, retired people, elders (polite)
Examples
- "Felt faint with hunger until the elderly French woman in the aisle seat next to me offered me a bite of her sardine sandwich."
- "Click on the link below and stay tuned to hear the success story of elderly fall victim, Thelma Fudd."
- "We can assure you that Delavigne never uses aldehydes in its perfumes, because of their negative effects on elderly people such as yourself."
- "I assume the government doesn't give the elderly a very generous pension, right?"
- "My elderly mother slipped in a puddle of apple juice in the local supermarket yesterday and has injured her hip."
- "We can assure you that Delavigne never uses aldehydes in its perfumes, because of their adverse effects on elderly people such as yourself."
- "I believe one elderly man sprained his ankle, and a child lost her doll, but both of these incidents were unrelated to the crash itself."
- "Elderly people are at risk from dehydration and the worst thing is, people won't even be able to wash their cars!"
- "I am unable to take this holiday because my elderly mother fell down the stairs and broke her hip."
Exercise 1
In the text above, find the synonym for the following words:
Example:
perfume = ?
You should type the word "fragrance" (from the sentence "we here at Delavigne are committed to making the world's best fragrances...")
old =
dedicated =
exhaustive =
Example:
perfume = ?
You should type the word "fragrance" (from the sentence "we here at Delavigne are committed to making the world's best fragrances...")
old =
dedicated =
exhaustive =
In the text above, find the synonym for the following words:
Example:
perfume = ?
You should type the word "fragrance" (from the sentence "we here at Delavigne are committed to making the world's best fragrances...")
old = elderly 1
dedicated = committed 2
exhaustive = comprehensive 3
Example:
perfume = ?
You should type the word "fragrance" (from the sentence "we here at Delavigne are committed to making the world's best fragrances...")
old = elderly 1
dedicated = committed 2
exhaustive = comprehensive 3
1 elderly: "Elderly" is a synonym for "old". It is a polite term often used in place of "old".
2 committed: "Committed" is a synonym for "dedicated". Here it expresses that the Delavigne Corporation is devoted to charitable causes.
3 comprehensive: "Comprehensive" is a synonym for "exhaustive". Here it refers to the list of ingredients which Karl Kraut has requested.
Exercise 2
Candy reports that the elderly are at risk this weekend.
She means that will be particularly this weekend's weather.
She means that will be particularly this weekend's weather.
Candy reports that the elderly are at risk this weekend.
She means that old people 1 will be particularly susceptible to 2 this weekend's weather.
She means that old people 1 will be particularly susceptible to 2 this weekend's weather.
1 old people: Candy reports that "elderly" people will be "at risk" this weekend due to the intense heat. The adjective "elderly" is a polite term which describes (only) people who are aged or old.
1 sick people: The term "elderly" refers to old people, not necessarily sick or infirm people. Although older people tend to be less health than others, the term refers strictly to age and NOT health.
1 young people: The term "elderly" refers to someone of advanced age, not a young person.
1 homeless people: While a "homeless person" (a person without a home, apartment or shelter) might be affected by the intense heat in Houston, this is not what Candy means when she refers to "elderly people".
1 motorists: Candy reports that people won't be able to wash their cars because of the shortage of water this weekend, however "motorists" (or drivers) aren't the people she says will be "at risk" or susceptible to the heat in Houston.
2 susceptible to: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" due to the heat this weekend. The phrase "at risk" describes someone or something "in danger" or vulnerable. For example: Overweight people are more at risk for diabetes than people in good shape.
2 interested in: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" this weekend, not that they will be particularly interested in the weather.
2 excited by: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" this weekend, not that they will be particularly "excited" by the weather.
2 frightened by: Candy reports that elderly people are "at risk" this weekend, not that they will be particularly "frightened" by the weather. To be "frightened" by something is to be scared or afraid of it. Example: Horatio is frightened by advanced technology.
Exercise 3
It's time to pick out some fabulous terms!
First, let's find the word which shares a similar meaning with "old" or "aged".
I love talking to people: they have such great stories to tell.
Next, we're looking for a telephone service: a number you can call for assistance.
I called the Farty because my microwave exploded. (Two words).
First, let's find the word which shares a similar meaning with "old" or "aged".
I love talking to people: they have such great stories to tell.
Next, we're looking for a telephone service: a number you can call for assistance.
I called the Farty because my microwave exploded. (Two words).
It's time to pick out some fabulous terms!
First, let's find the word which shares a similar meaning with "old" or "aged".
I love talking to elderly 1 people: they have such great stories to tell.
Next, we're looking for a telephone service: a number you can call for assistance.
I called the Farty help line 2 because my microwave exploded. (Two words).
First, let's find the word which shares a similar meaning with "old" or "aged".
I love talking to elderly 1 people: they have such great stories to tell.
Next, we're looking for a telephone service: a number you can call for assistance.
I called the Farty help line 2 because my microwave exploded. (Two words).
1 elderly: "Elderly" is the right answer here. If we describe someone as "elderly", we are politely saying that they are "old". Note that "the elderly" is a noun used to refer to old people as a group. Example: "I work with the elderly, because it makes me feel more attractive".
2 help line: "Help line" is the right answer. A "help line" is a telephone number you can call to receive aid or advice, for example about a product you have purchased. Example: "Welcome to the Alcoholics Anonymous help line. Are you thirsty?".
Exercise 4
"The ageing population is certainly a drain on resources."
How else could Icarus have expressed this?
"...the population is certainly a on ."
How else could Icarus have expressed this?
"...the population is certainly a on ."
"The ageing population is certainly a drain on resources."
How else could Icarus have expressed this?
"...the elderly 1 population is certainly a burden 2 on funds 3."
How else could Icarus have expressed this?
"...the elderly 1 population is certainly a burden 2 on funds 3."
1 elderly: This is the right choice here. "Elderly" is synonymous with "old" or "ageing" (which literally means "becoming older"). The ageing population, for example in Europe, creates problems for social security systems where current workers fund the pensions of retired people.
1 sick: This is not the right choice. "Sick" is not synonymous with "ageing". Anybody can be sick at any age and at any time. In fact, I'm not feeling too good myself today and I'm very young (honestly!).
1 disabled: This is not the right answer. Other ways of saying "disabled" include "handicapped" and "physically or mentally challenged". Although being disabled applies to some elderly people, it doesn't apply to them all and so they are not synonymous.
1 unemployed: This is incorrect. "Ageing" does not mean the same as "unemployed" which means "without work". However, we would expect most old people to be unemployed. We don't want to send our senior citizens out to work! Let them have a rest!
2 burden: This is correct. A "burden" is a "weight" or a "strain" or a "drain", something that causes a problem. For example: "My in-laws are coming to visit on Saturday. They are such a burden. I put in so much effort and they are never satisfied." In a more literal context, a "drain" is a pipe where used water and other things go once you have flushed the toilet or emptied the sink!
2 hole: This is not the right answer. A "drain" in the house (under the sink for example) or on a road is where waste and excess water escapes into the sewage system. It is a hole. But, in the phrase above, the word "drain" can not be substituted with "hole". "Drain" in this context means more than simply a physical "hole".
2 bonus: "Bonus" is not synonymous with "drain". A "bonus" is an additional benefit. For example: "My director gave me a $500 bonus for working well on the project. I spent it all at the casino."
2 factor: This is incorrect. A factor is "point", an "aspect", a "consideration" or an "element" of something. For example: "There are several factors to consider before buying a house. The three most important are location, location and location." "Factor" does not mean the same thing as "drain".
3 funds: This is the correct choice. "Funds" are the money available to a person, company, government etc. The word is synonymous with "resources" in this context. Note that "funds" is a purely financial word whereas "resources" can be used in other contexts. For example "natural resources" (gas, trees, etc).
3 hospitals: This is incorrect. A hospital is where we go when we are sick and need medical help. It does not mean the same as "resources".
3 young people: Young people could be considered as our "resources" for the future, but the two words are not interchangeable. This is not the right answer.
3 shares: This is not the right choice here. "Shares" are "parts" of a company that are bought and sold on the stock exchange. A person who has "shares" in the company is called a "shareholder". They are not the same as "resources".
Exercise 5
Don't take our word for it!
"To take (somebody's) word" is to them.
"Hear the success story of elderly fall victim, Thelma Fudd."
An "elderly" person is .
"Hear the success story of elderly fall victim, Thelma Fudd."
An "elderly" person is .
Don't take our word for it!
"To take (somebody's) word" is to believe 1 them.
"Hear the success story of elderly fall victim, Thelma Fudd."
An "elderly" person is old 2.
"Hear the success story of elderly fall victim, Thelma Fudd."
An "elderly" person is old 2.
1 believe: This is the correct answer. "To take (someone's) word for (something)" is "to believe" what they say. Example: I'll take your word for it that you didn't kill my dog. The GoldenWheelchair advertisement uses the negative variant of this idiom: "Don't take our word for it". This implies that potential GoldenWheelchair customers shouldn't just believe what the company says, but should also listen to the testimony of a satisfied GoldenWheelchair customer.
1 mistrust: This is incorrect. "To mistrust (someone)" is "to have doubts or suspicions" about them. Example: After a newspaper printed lies about him, Bruno now mistrusts all journalists.
1 tell: This is incorrect. "To take one's word for it" does not share the same meaning with "to tell" them.
1 quote: This is incorrect. "To quote (someone)" is to "cite" them or to repeat the words that they have said or written. Example: Jim likes to quote the words of Beatles songs.
2 old: This is the correct answer. An "elderly fall victim" describes an old person who has been involved in an accident. An "elderly (person)" is someone who is old. Example: "I work with the elderly, because it makes me feel more attractive." A "fall victim" is someone who has suffered a "fall": a sudden drop to the floor.
2 fragile: This is incorrect. "Elderly" and "fragile" are not synonymous terms (although "elderly people" can often be "fragile"). "Fragile" is synonymous with "delicate". Example: This sculpture is very fragile, please handle it with care.
2 experienced: This is incorrect. "Elderly" and "experienced" are not synonymous terms. An "experienced (person)" describes someone who has experience, skill or knowledge because they have done something many times.
2 poor: This is incorrect. "Elderly" and "poor" are not synonymous terms. A "poor (person)" has little or no money.
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