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elder

elder

11 4.8
Put after a name to show the person is older than another family member with the same name
  • adjective
  • /ˈɛldər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mayor
  • My elder brother taught me how to ride a bike.

you wanted my elder brother to go with your elder brother. Here he is. Akbar got really angry. Are you trying to insult my brother?

Examples

  • Death visited the family again when an elder brother died of cholera in August 1902.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Oda was born on 24 February 1923 in Sapporo, Japan, the elder son of a distinguished physician.

    Academic text (2001)
  • So that I could keep looking for my wife and my elder son.

  • To my elder son, a scientist.

  • But why, Lisa asked herself now, did her elder sister always get everything?

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Her mother in Tokyo and her elder brother had both advised her to go away to recover.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Jacques Aulard, his elder brother, left one morning never to come back.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • In the family photo, my father is marked as elder to distinguish him from my son.

  • We celebrated my elder sister's birthday with a big party.

Synonyms

older
vselder
  • Archaic
1.0

Used after a name to show the person born before another person with the same name

means the same but is a different word form used in writing
Sr.
vselder
  • Specialized
2.9

A title after a man's name that shows he is the older family member with the same name

is used more generally and not limited to male-specific title use

Compounds

elder statesman
  • Literature
7 5.4

A respected older man who is a former leader and whose advice people value

1 3.7

An older person respected for their knowledge and good sense

8.9

A shrub or small tree with white flowers and blue berries used for wine and jelly

5.5

A common shrub or small tree with clusters of dark berries used for making jam and wine

6.1

A North American fast-growing maple tree with leaves made of several parts, often used for shade

A tall annual plant that grows in wet rich soil and causes skin and pollen allergies

A maple tree that grows on the Pacific coast of the United States with white fruit

6.6

A small tree or bush with white flower clusters and dark berries used to make jam

9.4

A small wild plant with strong-smelling white flowers and black berries used in medicine

elder hand
  • Jargon
9.6

A player who sits to the left of the dealer and plays first

A respected older woman in politics who people often ask for advice

American elder
  • Specialized
6.0

A shrub with clusters of dark purple berries used to make wine and jam

A small tree or bush from North America that has clusters of red berries

A small tree or bush that has dark berries used to make wine and jam

A shrub with clusters of small red berries found in woods and gardens

marsh elder
  • Specialized
9.1

A rough bush that grows in wet places and has small green flowers

A respected older person with grey hair who gives advice

A small tree or bush with clusters of bright red berries

9.6

A North American bush that people use to make jam and wine from its purple-black berries

A shrub or small tree with a strong, unpleasant smell

Surface Forms

elder positive

Etymology

Elder (after a name) is the adjective that means 'older' and is used after a name to show someone is the older of two people with the same name, so elder John is the older John.