Elder vs. Older — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
"Elder" often refers to seniority within a family or group, while "older" is a general term indicating more advanced age. Both denote age but differ in context and use.
Difference Between Elder and Older
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Elder" and "Older" both address the concept of age, but their applications are different. "Elder" frequently denotes a relative sense of age within a family, suggesting a familial relationship like sibling seniority.
"Older", on the other hand, is a broader term that can apply to any person, place, or thing, signifying a greater age compared to another. When comparing two inanimate objects or unrelated individuals, "older" is the more appropriate choice.
Additionally, "Elder" carries a more respectful and formal tone in many cultures. It's not just about age, but also about respect for one's wisdom and experience. In certain communities, "Elder" is an official title or rank.
"Older" is a comparative form of the adjective "old" and focuses purely on the age aspect, without necessarily implying respect or a position of authority. In general language usage, "older" is more commonly used than "elder."
Both "Elder" and "Older" have nuances in meaning and usage. While "Elder" emphasizes familial or authoritative relationships, "Older" is a straightforward comparison of age, irrespective of relationships or authority.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Context
Familial or authoritative
General age comparison
Application
Relative age within family/groups
Any age comparison
Tone
Respectful, formal
Neutral
Derived from
Old English “eldra” meaning “older”
Comparative form of “old”
Usage
Less common, specific contexts
More common, broader contexts
Compare with Definitions
Elder
Greater in age within a familial context.
John is the elder brother of the two.
Older
A comparative form of "old" indicating greater age.
This painting is older than the other one.
Elder
Indicating seniority or precedence.
As the elder member, she chaired the meeting.
Older
Advanced in age or seniority.
He is the older employee in the department.
Elder
A title given to senior members of certain religious communities.
Elder Smith is a respected figure in the church.
Older
Having lived for more years compared to another.
My house is older than yours.
Elder
(of one or more out of a group of associated people) of a greater age
The elder of the two sons
My elder daughter
Older
Describing something from the past or earlier in time.
Older traditions are sometimes forgotten.
Elder
People who are older than one
Schoolchildren were no less fascinated than their elders
Older
Being more mature or experienced.
She seems older than her age suggests.
Elder
A leader or senior figure in a tribe or other group
A council of village elders
Older
Having lived or existed for a relatively long time; far advanced in years or life.
Elder
A small tree or shrub with pithy stems, white flowers, and bluish-black or red berries.
Older
Relatively advanced in age
Pamela is our oldest child.
Elder
Greater than another in age or seniority.
Older
Made long ago; in existence for many years
An old book.
Elder
(Archaic) Superior to another or others, as in rank.
Older
Of or relating to a long life or to people who have had long lives
A ripe old age.
Elder
An older person.
Older
Having or exhibiting the physical characteristics of age
A prematurely old face.
Elder
An older, influential member of a family, tribe, or community.
Older
Having or exhibiting the wisdom of age; mature
A child who is old for his years.
Elder
One of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions.
Older
Having lived or existed for a specified length of time
She was 12 years old.
Elder
Mormon Church A member of the higher order of priesthood.
Older
Exhibiting the effects of time or long use; worn
An old coat.
Elder
See elderberry.
Older
Known through long acquaintance; long familiar
An old friend.
Elder
Inflection of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.
The elder of the two was also an elder statesman
Older
Skilled or able through long experience; practiced
He is an old hand at doing home repairs.
Elder
An older person or an older member, usually a leader, of some community.
We were presented to the village elder.
Older
Belonging to a remote or former period in history; ancient
Old fossils.
Elder
One who is older than another.
Respect your elders.
Older
Belonging to or being of an earlier time
Her old classmates.
Elder
One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
Older
Often Old Being the earlier or earliest of two or more related objects, stages, versions, or periods.
Elder
An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.
Older
Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
Elder
A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.
A travelling elder
Older
Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
Elder
One ordained to the lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.
After being a member of the Church for a while, Bill was ordained to the office of elder.
Jack had been an elder for only a few days when he received a new calling.
Older
Used as an intensive
Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
Elder
Male missionary.
The elders are coming over for dinner tonight.
Older
Used to express affection or familiarity
Good ol' Sam.
Elder
Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.
One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.
Older
An individual of a specified age
A five-year-old.
Elder
(Germanic paganism) A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.
Older
Old people considered as a group. Used with the
Caring for the old.
Elder
A small tree, Sambucus nigra, having white flowers in a cluster, and edible purple berries
Older
Former times; yore
In days of old.
Elder
Any of the other species of the genus Sambucus: small trees, shrubs or herbaceous perennials with red, purple, or white/yellow berries (some of which are poisonous).
Older
, elder, senior
My older brother and I are Catholic twins. He’s older by eleven months, not quite a year older than me.
Elder
A cow's udder, especially used as food.
Older
Elderly
The thoughtful lad helped an older lady across the street.
Elder
(Quakerism) To admonish or reprove for improper conduct by the elders of the meeting.
I was eldered for directly responding to someone else's message in meeting for worship.
Older
Advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables);
Aged members of the society
Elderly residents could remember the construction of the first skyscraper
Senior citizen
Elder
Older; more aged, or existing longer.
Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds.
Older
Older brother or sister;
Big sister
Elder
Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; - opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc.
The elder shall serve the younger.
But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour.
Older
Used of the older of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a father from his son;
Bill Adams, Sr.
Elder
One who is older; a superior in age; a senior.
Older
Old in experience;
An old offender
The older soldiers
Elder
An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
Carry your head as your elders have done.
Elder
A person who, on account of his age, occupies the office of ruler or judge; hence, a person occupying any office appropriate to such as have the experience and dignity which age confers; as, the elders of Israel; the elders of the synagogue; the elders in the apostolic church.
Elder
A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments; as, a traveling elder.
Elder
A genus of shrubs (Sambucus) having broad umbels of white flowers, and small black or red berries.
Elder
A person who is older than you are
Elder
Any of numerous shrubs or small trees of temperate and subtropical northern hemisphere having white flowers and berrylike fruit
Elder
Any of various church officers
Elder
Used of the older of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a father from his son;
Bill Adams, Sr.
Elder
Older brother or sister;
Big sister
Elder
Someone who holds a position of authority or respect in a community.
The village elders made important decisions.
Elder
A person who is older than another in a specific context.
As the elder of the duo, she took the lead.
Common Curiosities
Can we use "Older" for siblings?
Yes, you can say, "She is the older sister."
Does "Elder" always imply respect?
Often it does, especially in cultural or authoritative contexts.
Is it wrong to use "Elder" for inanimate objects?
It's uncommon and might sound odd. "Older" is usually preferred.
Does "Older" always suggest a significant age gap?
No, "older" simply indicates one is older than the other, regardless of the duration.
Is "Elder" an official title in some contexts?
Yes, in some religious and cultural contexts, "Elder" is a title of respect or rank.
Can I say "My car is elder than yours"?
No, the correct usage is "My car is older than yours."
Is "Elder" used in legal or official documents?
Sometimes, especially when denoting seniority or precedence.
Is "Elder" restricted to human beings?
No, but its most common usage pertains to human relationships, especially familial.
Can "Elder" and "Older" be used interchangeably?
Not always. Their use depends on the context.
Is "Elder" always used in a familial context?
Often, but not always. It can also denote authority or respect in some groups.
How do I choose between "Elder" and "Older"?
Consider context: familial or authoritative situations often use "Elder," while general age comparisons use "Older."
Is "Elder" archaic in modern English?
Not archaic, but its use is more specific and less frequent than "Older."
Can "Older" be used to compare two periods of time?
Yes, e.g., "The older era was different."
Can "Older" refer to maturity, not just age?
Yes, it can describe someone who seems mature for their age.
Are "Elder" and "Older" adjectives?
Yes, both are adjectives, but "Elder" can also be a noun in contexts like "village elder."
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Routine vs. Mundane
Next Comparison
Eutectoid vs. EutecticAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
