ENGLISH
REFERENCE

elderly

n.
US //ˈɛɫdɝɫi// UK //ˈɛldəli// el·der·ly
  1. 1 older people as a group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    older people considered as a group.

    a collective noun referring to the segment of the population that is of advanced age.

    Example

    The government is looking for new ways to provide better healthcare for the elderly.

    Example

    The city council has allocated additional funding to ensure that the elderly have access to reliable public transport during the winter months.

    Usage

    Always used with 'the' (the elderly) and takes a plural verb.
    • the youth
Origin

From elder + -ly.

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