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.
- eldersSenior community members
- old folksAged members of community
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- family historyRecord of ancestors
- grandparentsAncestors once removed
seniors · veterans · wisdom · tradition · heritage · memories · golden years · wrinkles · gray · silver hair · retirement · nostalgia · matriarch · patriarch · legacy · experienced · old-fashioned · old school
older generationyounger generation
Those born later
youth · young people · new generation · children · kids
older generationdigital natives
Those raised with technology
Gen Z · millennials · Generation Alpha · TikTok generation · screenagers
older generationyounger generation
Those born later
future generations · successors · heirs · newcomers · descendants
older, generation, elder, eldest, generate, generational, generations, generative, generator