Pronunciation: [ˈɛldəli] (IPA) 
The word "elderly" is spelled with the letters E-L-D-E-R-L-Y. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈɛldərli/. This word describes someone who is old or has reached the later years of life. The pronunciation of "elderly" begins with the "eh" sound, followed by the "l" and "d" consonant sounds. The ending is pronounced as "lee." This word may also be used to describe objects or things that are old or aging.
The term "elderly" refers to individuals who are in the later stages of life, typically associated with advanced age. It is commonly used to describe people who have reached or surpassed the age of retirement and are considered to be in their senior years. While the specific age range can vary based on cultural, demographic, and legal factors, the elderly are generally considered to be those who are around 65 years of age or older.
Characteristics associated with the elderly typically include a decline in physical strength and cognitive abilities, which can occur naturally as a result of the aging process. Such changes often lead to increased vulnerability and a higher risk of various health issues, including chronic illnesses, mobility problems, and age-related ailments.
Moreover, the elderly population may experience social and emotional challenges, such as isolation and loneliness, as they may face loss of loved ones, changes in social networks, or reduced social interactions. Consequently, it is important to provide proper support, care, and resources to cater to the unique needs of the elderly.
Various healthcare services, retirement communities, and supportive organizations offer assistance and activities to enhance the well-being of the elderly population. Governments and societies also implement policies and initiatives to promote age-friendly environments, ensuring that the elderly can maintain a certain level of independence and quality of life in their later years.
Somewhat old.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "elderly" originated from the Middle English term "eldirly", which was derived from the Old English word "ealdorlic". "Ealdorlic" combined the root word "ealdor", meaning "old age" or "advanced in years", with the suffix "-lic", indicating "like" or "characteristic of". Over time, "ealdorlic" evolved into "elderly" in Modern English, maintaining the fundamental meaning of someone being in their later years of life.
