aged
Matured over time
Aged describes something that has grown old or been allowed to mature over time.
Wine and cheese are aged to develop flavor; aged beef hangs to tenderize.
An aged person is elderly.
The word has two pronunciations: one syllable when describing matured products (aged whiskey), two syllables for elderly people (an aged widow).
With a number, aged means having reached that age: a child aged six.
Higher in rank
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
- retireeOne who left work
- pensionerRetired payment recipient
- geriatricRelating to elderly care
nonagenarian · centenarian · elder · grandparent · silver-haired · venerable · patriarch · matriarch
Transformed by microbial action
- ripenedReached full maturity
- curedRestored to health
- mellowedBecame softer, calmer
- full-bodiedIntense, complete flavor
cellared · oaked · vintage · refined · developed · steeped · brined · conditioned
Surface film from aging
- wornDamaged by use
- fadedLost original color
- tarnishedOxidized and discolored
- crackedHaving surface fractures
distressed · rustic · dilapidated · decrepit · frayed · oxidized · timeworn · battered
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- experiencedHaving practical knowledge gained
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- venerableDeserving honor for dignity
- learnedHaving much knowledge
knowledgeable · worldly · erudite · astute · discerning · prudent · insightful · time-tested
Weak and breakable
- feebleWeak and ineffective
- ailingIn poor health
- witheredDried and shrunken
- haggardExhausted in appearance
gaunt · infirm · debilitated · wizened · shriveled · enfeebled · tottering · doddering
Inherited family treasure
- relicPreserved ancient object
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- collectibleObject worth amassing
- curioOdd collectible item
provenance · restoration · Victorian · heritage · classic · timeless · period · retro
senior
Higher in rank
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
- retireeOne who left work
- pensionerRetired payment recipient
geriatric · nonagenarian · centenarian · elder · grandparent · silver-haired · venerable · patriarch · matriarch · greybeard
fermented
Transformed by microbial action
full-bodied · cellared · oaked · vintage · refined · developed · steeped · brined · conditioned
patina
Surface film from aging
cracked · distressed · rustic · dilapidated · decrepit · frayed · oxidized · timeworn · battered · eroded
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- experiencedHaving practical knowledge gained
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- venerableDeserving honor for dignity
learned · knowledgeable · worldly · erudite · astute · discerning · prudent · insightful · time-tested · battle-scarred
frail
Weak and breakable
haggard · gaunt · infirm · debilitated · wizened · shriveled · enfeebled · tottering · doddering · decrepit
heirloom
Inherited family treasure
- relicPreserved ancient object
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- collectibleObject worth amassing
curio · provenance · restoration · Victorian · heritage · classic · timeless · period · retro · nostalgic
- age descriptorselderly, old, young, youthful, mature
- age termsyoung, old, older, younger, youngest
- food qualitiesripe, unripe, overripe, fresh, spoiled
- old peopleelder, elderly, older, old, ancient
- secondhandused, pre-owned, preowned, secondhand, hand-me-down
- vintagevintage, antique, retro, old-fashioned, nostalgic
- old ageAdvanced years of life
- middle ageLife's middle decades
- ages agoThe remote past
- come of ageReach legal adulthood
- golden agePeriod of peak prosperity
- coming of ageReaching adult status
age, ages, ageless, ageing, ageism, teenaged, ageist, middle-aged, underaged