elder
gb/ˈɛldɚ/ us/ˈɛldɚ/
A2
English
~ 7800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
older person, often respected
A person who is much older than you, or older people in general, who you should respect.
Usage pattern:
the elders of [a group]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *elder* to mean any older person in a neutral way, saying things like "There were many elders at the concert." In everyday modern English, *elder* is more often used when talking about respect, tradition, or leadership ("our elders"), while *older people* or *the elderly* are more common for neutral description.
Synonyms
senior (Often used in formal or official contexts; can also refer to job level, not just age.)
|
older person (More neutral and descriptive; lacks the built‑in idea of respect found in "elder".)
Antonyms
younger (Refers to people with less age, often implying less experience compared with elders.)
Collocations
respect your elders
|the village elders
|community elders
|tribal elders
|our elders
|listen to your elders
Themes
people
|society
|family
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Children are taught to respect their elders.
- The village elders met to discuss how to handle the drought.
- She often seeks advice from her elders before making big decisions.
- Community elders played a key role in resolving the conflict.
- Young activists and party elders disagreed about the direction of the movement.
Learner examples
- You should be polite to your elders.
- He lives with his parents and two elders from his village.
- The elders in the town meet every week.
- She asked her elders what she should do.
- The young people listened to their elders.
adjective
A2
property
2
older of two relatives
Older, used before words like brother, sister, son, or daughter to show who is older.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s elder [family member]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He is elder than me"* or *"She is more elder"*. In modern English, we normally say *"He is older than me"*. Use *elder* mainly before family nouns: *"my elder brother"*, not *"my brother is elder"*.
Synonyms
older (More general and used in more positions; *elder* is mostly used before family nouns and is a little more formal.)
Antonyms
younger (Describes the person in the family who has fewer years than another.)
Collocations
elder brother
|elder sister
|elder son
|elder daughter
|elder sibling
|elder twin
Themes
family
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- My elder brother lives in Canada.
- Their elder daughter is starting university this year.
- She is the elder of the two sisters.
- As the elder son, he was expected to take over the family business.
- Her elder twin is only five minutes older.
Learner examples
- My elder sister is 25 years old.
- He is the elder of the two boys.
- Their elder son works in a bank.
- Her elder brother helps her with homework.
- The elder child is very responsible.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
church or religious leader
A leader in some Christian churches whose official job title is "elder".
Usage pattern:
[a church] appoints [someone] as an elder
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *elder* as a church title with the general meaning of an older person. In religious contexts, *elder* is an official role, not just any older church member.
Synonyms
church leader (Broad term; *elder* is a specific title or office.)
|
pastor (In some traditions similar in function, but a different office and title.)
Antonyms
layperson (A regular member of a church who does not hold an official leadership role.)
Collocations
church elders
|the elders of the church
|ordained elder
|ruling elder
|board of elders
|LDS elder
Themes
religion
|society
|relationships
Examples
- The church elders met to discuss plans for the new building.
- She was recently ordained as an elder in her congregation.
- Elders in the local Presbyterian church are elected by the members.
- As an elder, he is responsible for the spiritual care of the community.
- Two elders visited the family to offer support and prayer.
Learner examples
- The elders of the church meet every month.
- He became an elder after many years of service.
- In this church, elders help lead the people.
- The elders prayed for the sick man.
- She talked with one of the elders about her problem.
Noun
B2
entity
4
elder tree or shrub
A small tree or bush, called an elder, that has white flowers and dark berries used to make drinks and medicine.
Usage pattern:
[someone] plants an elder in [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that *elder* can be the name of a tree and think it always refers to people. Context with words like *tree*, *bush*, *berries*, or *flowers* signals this plant meaning.
Synonyms
elder tree (More explicit; clearly identifies that *elder* is a type of tree.)
Antonyms
conifer (A very different type of tree (evergreen, cone‑bearing), contrasting with elder as a small flowering shrub or tree.)
Collocations
elder tree
|elder bush
|elderflower
|elderberry
|black elder
|elder hedges
Themes
nature
|food
Examples
- An old elder grew at the edge of the field.
- They picked berries from the elder by the lane to make jam.
- The hedgerow is full of elder and hawthorn.
- Elder in the garden attracts many birds in late summer.
- She uses elderflower from the wild elder to make cordial.
Learner examples
- There is an elder in front of the house.
- They made juice from the berries of the elder.
- Birds like to eat the fruit of the elder.
- We saw an elder and an oak tree in the park.
- He planted an elder next to the fence.
Noun
B2
entity
5
respected senior group leader
An older person in a group or profession who has power or strong influence because they have a lot of experience.
Usage pattern:
the elders of [a community or group]
Common mistake:
Learners may think *elder* in this sense always refers to age only. In modern use, it often combines age with long experience and high status in a field or group.
Synonyms
senior figure (Highlights high status and experience, but not specifically age‑based respect like *elder*.)
|
elder statesman (Often used for politics; emphasizes great respect and long service.)
Antonyms
junior member (A newer or less experienced person in the group, the opposite of an elder in status.)
Collocations
party elders
|veteran elders
|elders of the movement
|company elders
|cultural elders
|respected elders
Themes
society
|politics
|work
|relationships
Examples
- Party elders opposed the radical new policy.
- As one of the elders of the movement, she is often asked for advice.
- The company elders were invited back to speak at the anniversary event.
- Cultural elders helped guide the project so that traditions were respected.
- Industry elders warned that the boom would not last forever.
Learner examples
- Many people listen to the elders of the movement.
- The party elders did not like the new idea.
- Young workers asked the company elders for help.
- He is an elder of the team and people trust him.
- The elders of the group met in a small room.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elder
IPA
GB/ˈɛldɚ/
US/ˈɛldɚ/
Syllables & stress
eld - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (eld)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: elder
Noun
- Base: elder
- Plural: elders
Word family
Expressions
council of elders
1/kˈaʊnsɪl əv ˈɛldɚz/
fixed phrase
advisory group of older leaders
A group of older and respected people who meet to make decisions or give advice for a community or group.
Examples
- The council of elders gathered to settle the dispute between the families.
- Important community decisions must be approved by the council of elders.
- In the story, the hero appears before the council of elders to explain his actions.
elder abuse
1/ˈɛldɚ əbjˈus/
fixed phrase
technical
harm or mistreatment of elderly
Bad or illegal treatment of old people, for example hurting them, shouting at them, or stealing their money.
Examples
- The report highlighted serious cases of elder abuse in care homes.
- Many instances of elder abuse go unreported because victims are afraid to speak up.
- New laws aim to protect seniors from elder abuse and neglect.
elder care
1/ˈɛldɚ kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
care for elderly people
The help and services given to old people who need support with daily life or health.
Examples
- The government is under pressure to increase funding for elder care.
- She works in elder care at a local nursing home.
- Many families struggle to balance work and elder care responsibilities.
respect your elders
1/ɹɪspˈɛkt jˈʊɹ ˈɛldɚz/
fixed phrase
show respect to older people
To be polite and listen to people who are older than you, and treat them as important.
Examples
- In many cultures, children are strongly taught to respect their elders.
- He reminded his son to respect his elders, even when he disagreed with them.
- Respect your elders, but also think for yourself.
elder statesman
1/ˈɛldɚ stˈeɪtsmən/
idiom
formal
highly respected senior figure
A very experienced older person in politics, business, or another area who people respect and often ask for advice.
Examples
- He is seen as an elder statesman of the party and rarely speaks in public now.
- As an elder statesman of jazz, he continues to influence young musicians.
- The elder statesman of the company offered calm advice during the crisis.
elder statesman
2/ˈɛldɚ stˈeɪtsmən/
idiom
respected older expert in a field
An older man who is very respected in politics, business, art, or another area because he has many years of experience and has done important work.
Examples
- He is seen as the elder statesman of the party and is often asked for quiet advice behind the scenes.
- As the elder statesman of jazz, he mentored generations of younger musicians.
- Now in her seventies, she plays the role of elder statesman in the organization, offering guidance but staying out of daily fights.