Word
eldest
Phoneticsel·dest, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛɫdəst/
UK/ˈɛldəst/
Definitions
01oldest in a family
B1 · Intermediate
adj. the person who was born first among a group of brothers and sisters.
adj. denoting the first-born among siblings or the oldest member of a family unit. Usually attributive, appearing before the noun.
“My eldest sister is already at university, while the rest of us are still in school.”
“As the eldest son, he felt a significant burden of responsibility to manage the family estate after his father's retirement.”
Pitfall
My eldest brother is twenty, but my car is eldest.
My eldest brother is twenty, but my car is the oldest.
Use 'eldest' only for people in a family. For objects or general age, use 'oldest'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02the first-born person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the person who is the oldest in a family.
n. the individual who holds the status of being the first-born or oldest within a specific group or family.
“Being the eldest can be difficult because your parents are often stricter with you.”
“The inheritance was traditionally reserved for the eldest, a practice that often created tension among the younger siblings.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03card games
C2 · Proficiency Sports Technical
adj. the player who receives their cards first from the dealer.
adj. referring to the player to the immediate left of the dealer who receives cards first and typically leads the first play.
“In this game, the eldest player starts the first round.”
“The rules stipulate that the eldest hand must lead a trump card if they possess one.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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