older generation

Those before us

The older generation refers to people significantly senior to a reference group, typically one's parents' or grandparents' age cohort.

The phrase usually carries implicit contrast with younger people: The older generation doesn't understand social media, My parents' generation had different values.

It can sound dismissive or respectful depending on context—complaints about the older generation mirror complaints about youth.

Related

seniors · veterans · wisdom · tradition · heritage · memories · golden years · wrinkles · gray · silver hair · retirement · nostalgia · matriarch · patriarch · legacy · experienced · old-fashioned · old school

Opposites
age/life stage

older generationyounger generation

Those born later

youth · young people · new generation · children · kids

cultural/technological orientation

older generationdigital natives

Those raised with technology

Gen Z · millennials · Generation Alpha · TikTok generation · screenagers

social power/establishment status

older generationyounger generation

Those born later

future generations · successors · heirs · newcomers · descendants

Family

older, generation, elder, eldest, generate, generational, generations, generative, generator

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G