10 Positive Words to Describe the Elderly

Everyone loves the elderly (at least, most decent human beings do). However, coming up with inoffensive words to describe old people can be difficult. This article will explore some synonyms for “old age” or “old people” that you can use for anyone over 60 years old.

The preferred synonyms are “mature,” “experienced,” and “senior.” You can use these to show that someone is elderly, but they are all much more respectable. They show that you truly respect the person you are speaking about, which is always a positive sign.

Mature

“Mature” works well to refer to anyone who is older than you. You can use it to refer to over 60s as well to show that you respect them for all the things they’ve learned and done in their lives.

The definition of “mature,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “mentally and emotionally well-developed, and therefore responsible.”

• The mature audience is who I’m trying to appeal to here. I think they deserve all of our respect for being so great.
• When I’m your age, I’d love to come across as mature as you. You really seem to have everything figured out, and that’s great.
• I thought they were all very mature. I hope that I turn out a lot like them when I finally have to come and live in this home.

Experienced

“Experienced” is a good one because it always works well with age. “Experience” is something that takes time to achieve. The older you are, the more time you’ve had to develop this experience, which is a great way of showing what you’ve learned in your life.

It’s a very respectable word, and it’s worth using if you want to be kind to the elderly.

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “knowledge or skill that you get from doing, seeing, or feeling things, or the process of getting this.”

• Don’t call yourself elderly! Just call yourself experienced! You’ve spent a lot of time learning in your life. That’s all.
• I think you’re very experienced, and you deserve to be treated with nothing but admiration. I’ll be sure to pass that on to your grandkids.
• You’re quite experienced, and I love that about you. You’ve seen and done it all, and I hope that my life can end up being as exciting as that.

Senior

“Senior” is a good choice that shows you have a bit more respect for the elderly. It’s a simple synonym, as it means “old person.” However, if you’re looking for a more politically correct term, “senior” is much more sensitive and kind than “old person.”

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “an old person.”

• He may be a senior, but that doesn’t make him any less of a man than you. If anything, he’s more of a man than you’ll ever be.
• I thought it was nice to see the seniors in their element earlier today. I’ve never seen so many genuine smiles on people’s faces.
• I would love to turn out like him when I’m a senior. I know that my life will be complete if I can get to that stage and be happy.

Distinguished

“Distinguished” is a good choice that relates to age. Usually, older people are “distinguished” when they look really stylish and come across as very wise. It’s a good look on most elderly people, which is why it works as a compliment.

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “used to describe a person, especially an older person, who looks formal, stylish, or wise.”

• He’s a very distinguished gentleman. I hope you treat him with all of the respect that he deserves. That’s all I’ll say.
• You’re quite distinguished, and that’s a very good thing. You’ve done a lot in your life, and you still look great for doing it.
• She wants to be more distinguished, which is why she’s started to dress like that. I always tell her she looks lovely.

Wise

“Wise” is a classic synonym when it comes to referring to age. Everyone knows that wisdom comes with age. The longer you’re on the planet, the more time you’ll have to understand the things you experience in your life.

Calling a senior “wise” is a great way to show that you respect the knowledge and understanding that they have for the world around them.

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “having or showing the ability to make good judgments, based on a deep understanding and experience of life.”

• Mark is so wise. He’s done almost everything that a person can do in their life, and I wish I could grow up to be like him one day.
• I think you’re very wise. Don’t let anybody else put you down. You’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever known, granddad.
• She comes across as very wise. I’m sure that’s because of all the time she spent enjoying herself and bettering her life.

Veteran

“Veteran” typically refers to people who have come back from wars. It also refers to anyone who has been around for a long time and partook in a specific activity for a lot of their life.

For the most part, “veteran” refers to military officers. You can refer to any elderly people who might have served in wars as “veterans.”

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “having been involved in a particular activity for a long time.”

• As a veteran, he has some of the most interesting stories to tell. I wish I could sit back and listen to him speak forever.
• I love hearing the veterans talk about their lives. It really puts mine into perspective, and it gives me a great outlook for the future.
• You should treat the veterans with more respect. They’ve been around for a long time, and they deserve that much from you.

Venerable

“Venerable” refers to older people who deserve respect. Usually, they would have done something that allows people to respect them. Typically, something in their past would make them more respectable to the people they meet in the present.

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “deserving respect because of age, high position, or religious or historical importance.”

• He’s a venerable man, and it would be rude for you to disrespect him. Make sure you treat him with the kindness he deserves.
• I think you’re clearly quite venerable. I’ll be sure to tell all the children that you deserve their respect when you come to visit them.
• I’m trying to be more venerable. I want people to look at me with respect and admiration in their eyes until the day I die.

Seasoned

“Seasoned” is another great positive synonym. It refers to someone who has a lot of experience in their life. Naturally, older people will have a lot of experience because of how many years they’ve had to learn things in their lives.

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “having a lot of experience of doing something and therefore knowing how to do it well.”

• As a seasoned individual, Steven has been around. He’s seen it all, and he has so many excellent stories to tell about his life.
• I love talking to seasoned veterans about their time during the war. It’s really something, and I wish they never had to end.
• I thought you were quite impressive and seasoned. I wish I could live a life that sounds as fulfilled as yours does.

Vintage

“Vintage” is a bit of a jokey synonym, but it works well. You can use it to refer to anything that was made in the past. In this case, it refers to elderly people.

While “vintage” might be a bit of a joke, it works well when you are close with the old person you’re speaking to. It’s good if you’re trying to be more fun with them and make them laugh about their age.

The definition of “vintage,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “produced in the past, and typical of the period in which it was made.”

• I would never say that you’re an old man, Albert. Instead, I would call you vintage! That really suits you and the person you are.
• I think they’re all great vintage classics. They’re some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met, and you’ll like them too.
• I thought it was nice to meet some of the vintage guys up at the golf club earlier. It truly was wonderful to get to know them.

Advanced In Years

“Advanced in years” is the last one you can use. This time, it’s a phrase that works well to show that someone is a lot older than most people. “Advanced” is a more positive word here that shows that someone has aged but they have only gotten better.

• Of course, Darren is a little advanced in years, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less spritely than you or I. Just wait and see.
• She’s advanced in years, but I think that makes her more beautiful than ever. She’s one of the loveliest souls I’ve met.
• You might be quite advanced in years, but that isn’t something to be ashamed of. You’ve done so much in your lifetime.