geriatric
gb/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk/ us/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk/
C1
English
geriátriai, őskövület, elavult, öreg
C1
TECHNICAL
1
geriátriai
C1
Usage pattern:
geriatric [care/patient/ward/specialist]
The hospital has expanded its geriatric services as the local population ages.
A kórház bővítette geriátriai szolgáltatásait, ahogy a helyi lakosság idősödik.
She specializes in geriatric medicine and works mainly with patients over 75.
Geriátriára szakosodott, és főként 75 év feletti betegekkel dolgozik.
A geriatric assessment can identify fall risks, memory problems, and medication issues.
Learner examples
The clinic offers geriatric care.
A rendelő geriátriai ellátást kínál.
My grandfather sees a geriatric specialist.
A nagyapám geriátriai szakorvoshoz jár.
Common mistake:
In everyday respectful speech, prefer “older adult” for a person; “geriatric” often sounds medical or institutional.
Meaning
relating to older adults
Collocations
geriatric care
|geriatric medicine
|geriatric patient
|geriatric ward
|geriatric nurse
|geriatric specialist
|geriatric assessment
|geriatric services
|geriatric psychiatry
|geriatric unit
Synonyms
gerontological (more academic; relates broadly to aging and older people)
|
elderly (less medical; can sound dated when used for people)
|
senior (more everyday or administrative, especially in American English)
Antonyms
pediatric (relating to children’s medical care rather than older adults)
|
juvenile (relating to young people rather than older people)
Themes
aging
|medicine
|healthcare
Definition
connected with the health and care of older people
Relating to older adults, especially their medical care, health conditions, or social support.
C1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
geriatric [thing/person/animal]
My geriatric laptop wheezes whenever I open a video call.
A laptopom már egy őskövület, és mindig hörögni kezd, amikor megnyitok egy videóhívást.
The office still runs on a geriatric database from the 1990s.
Az iroda még mindig egy őskövület, a kilencvenes évekből maradt adatbázissal működik.
Describing employees as geriatric because they are older is offensive.
Learner examples
My geriatric phone needs a new battery.
A telefonom már egy őskövület, új akkumulátor kell bele.
That old car is almost geriatric.
Az a régi autó már szinte egy őskövület.
Common mistake:
This use can be funny about things, but it is often insulting when used about people.
Meaning
very old or outdated
Collocations
geriatric laptop
|geriatric computer
|geriatric car
|geriatric software
|geriatric phone
|geriatric dog
|geriatric rock star
|geriatric workforce
Synonyms
ancient (informal and humorous; emphasizes extreme age)
|
decrepit (emphasizes weakness or poor condition)
|
obsolete (emphasizes being out of date, especially for technology)
Antonyms
new (recent rather than old)
|
modern (current and up to date rather than outdated)
|
youthful (young or seeming young rather than old)
Themes
informal_language
|age
|technology
Definition
very old and not working well
Very old, outdated, slow, or in poor condition; used humorously or insultingly, especially outside medical contexts.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
3
öreg
A2
Usage pattern:
a geriatric; the geriatrics
Don’t call the residents geriatrics; call them older adults or residents.
Ne nevezd a lakókat öregeknek; mondd inkább, hogy idős emberek vagy lakók.
The sketch made fun of a group of geriatrics at a dance class, and many viewers found it mean-spirited.
A jelenet egy táncórán részt vevő öregek csoportján gúnyolódott, és sok néző ezt rosszindulatúnak találta.
In casual speech, a geriatric means an old person, but the word can sound cruel.
Learner examples
It is rude to call my grandfather a geriatric.
Udvariatlanság a nagyapámat öregnek nevezni.
Say “older adult” instead.
Mondd inkább azt, hogy "idős ember".
Common mistake:
Do not use “a geriatric” as a normal polite noun for an older person; say “older person,” “older adult,” or “resident/patient” if appropriate.
Meaning
old person, often rude
Collocations
a geriatric
|the geriatrics
|a bunch of geriatrics
Synonyms
older adult (neutral and respectful)
|
senior citizen (more official; sometimes sounds dated)
|
elder (respectful in some cultural or community contexts)
Antonyms
young person (a person who is young rather than old)
|
youth (a young person, often a teenager or young adult)
Themes
aging
|people
|informal_language
Definition
an old person; often a rude word
An old person, especially one seen as frail or receiving care; this use often sounds rude or dehumanizing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
geriatric
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk/
US/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk/
Syllables & stress
geri - at - ric (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ric)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: geriatric
Noun
- Base: geriatric
- Plural: geriatrics
Expressions
geriatric assessment
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk əsˈɛsmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
broad elder health evaluation
a detailed health check for an older person
Examples
- The doctor ordered a geriatric assessment after several falls at home.
- A geriatric assessment can help decide whether someone needs home support or rehabilitation.
Learner examples
- The clinic scheduled a geriatric assessment.
- The assessment checked her memory and walking.
geriatric care
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
care for older adults
health care and support for older people
Examples
- The clinic added a team devoted to geriatric care.
- Good geriatric care often looks at medications, mobility, nutrition, and family support.
Learner examples
- My mother needs geriatric care after her fall.
- The hospital provides geriatric care.
geriatric medicine
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk mˈɛdɪsən/
fixed phrase
technical
medicine for older adults
the medical specialty for older people’s health
Examples
- She chose a fellowship in geriatric medicine.
- Geriatric medicine focuses on maintaining function and quality of life, not just treating disease.
Learner examples
- He studies geriatric medicine.
- Geriatric medicine helps older patients stay healthy.
geriatric millennial
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk mɪlˈɛniəl/
fixed phrase
informal
older millennial, jokingly
a joking name for an older millennial
Examples
- The article joked that geriatric millennials remember dial-up internet but use smartphones easily.
- She calls herself a geriatric millennial because she graduated before social media took over.
Learner examples
- My sister says she is a geriatric millennial.
- It is a joke about age.
geriatric patient
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk pˈeɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
technical
older healthcare patient
an older person receiving medical care
Examples
- Geriatric patients may need lower doses of some medications.
- The emergency department created a quieter area for geriatric patients.
Learner examples
- The nurse is trained to help geriatric patients.
- A geriatric patient may take several medicines.
geriatric pregnancy
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk pɹˈɛɡnənsi/
fixed phrase
technical
pregnancy at age thirty-five-plus
an old-fashioned medical term for pregnancy at age 35 or older
Examples
- Her chart used the phrase geriatric pregnancy because she was 36, but her doctor explained the risks clearly.
- Many patients dislike the term geriatric pregnancy and ask doctors to use different language.
Learner examples
- At 35, some forms may call it a geriatric pregnancy.
- Many people prefer the term “advanced maternal age.”
geriatric psychiatry
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk saɪkˈaɪətɹi/
fixed phrase
technical
mental healthcare for elders
mental health care for older people
Examples
- The hospital opened a geriatric psychiatry unit for patients with dementia and depression.
- She trained in geriatric psychiatry after working in nursing homes.
Learner examples
- He works in geriatric psychiatry.
- Geriatric psychiatry treats older adults with mental health problems.
geriatric ward
1/d͡ʒˌɛɹiˈætɹɪk wˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
technical
hospital ward for elders
a hospital area for older patients
Examples
- After surgery, he was moved to the geriatric ward for rehabilitation.
- The geriatric ward has staff trained to prevent falls and confusion in older patients.
Learner examples
- My aunt is in the geriatric ward.
- The geriatric ward is on the third floor.