Having lived or existed for a long time; not new or young.
From Old English "eald," related to German "alt" and Dutch "oud." It comes from an ancient root meaning "grown up, adult," before shifting to mean advanced in age.
Originally, "old" contrasted with "young," not with "new"—it was about people more than objects. That’s why we still feel a difference between an "old friend" (time together) and an "old phone" (outdated gadget).
Age-related terms, including “old,” have often been used more negatively for women than for men, reinforcing ageism and gendered beauty standards. Older women have been stereotyped as less competent or less valuable, while older men are more often framed as experienced or authoritative.
Use “older” rather than “old” when referring to people, and avoid using age as a pejorative descriptor, especially for women and gender minorities who face compounded ageism.
["older","aging","senior (context‑dependent)","long‑standing"]
When discussing aging populations, include the contributions and leadership of older women and gender‑diverse people, not only older men, in social, economic, and cultural life.
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