Aging refers to the process of growing older or the process-related changes that occur over time in living organisms or objects. It can describe both the passage of time itself and the gradual development of characteristics associated with maturity or deterioration, depending on context. As a gerontological term, it also denotes the effects and experiences accompanying increased age, including physical, cognitive, and social dimensions.
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"The aging of the population presents new challenges for healthcare systems."
"In photography, aging techniques create a vintage look."
"She has a graceful aging process, with steady mobility and wisdom accumulating over the years."
"The aging of the wood revealed its rich, dark patina."
Aging derives from aging, a gerund of Old French ager, from Latin agingere, influenced by agere ‘to drive, lead, act’ and the noun age. The earliest sense related to the act of aging or becoming older appears in Middle English, with English speakers using aging to describe the process of acquiring age or veteran status. The term evolved in the 16th–18th centuries as medical and scientific discourse introduced gerontology; by the 19th century, aging became a staple in demographics, biology, and social sciences. In modern usage, aging spans both natural human development and material or object processes (e.g., aging wine or aging timber), emphasizing time’s effect on properties and condition. The shift from abstract time to a concrete biological and sociocultural process marks its primary historical development, with widespread usage accelerating in the 20th and 21st centuries as life expectancy rose and aging became a central demographic topic.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "aging" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "aging" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "aging"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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US/UK/AU pronunciation is /ˈeɪdʒɪŋ/. Begin with a crisp diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'face', then an /dʒ/ sound as in 'judge', followed by a short /ɪ/ (as in 'kit'), ending with the velar nasal /ŋ/ as in 'sing'. The primary stress is on the first syllable: EYEJ-ing. Practice by isolating the first syllable 'age' with a strong /eɪ/ and then add the /dʒɪŋ/ tail. For scooping and smoothness, connect the /dʒ/ to the /ɪŋ/ in a single flow.
Two common errors: (1) Reducing to a simple 'aging' with a long /eɪ/ and a weak /dʒ/; ensure you clearly articulate /dʒ/ as a single phoneme rather than a d + zh sequence. (2) Misplacing the stress, saying /ˈeɪdʒɪŋ/ with reduced emphasis or breaking into awkward syllables. Correct by emphasizing the first syllable, keeping /eɪ/ as a diphthong, and producing /dʒ/ tightly before /ɪŋ/. Remember to finish with a crisp /ŋ/.
In US/UK/AU, the core /ˈeɪdʒɪŋ/ remains, but rhotics influence the preceding vowel quality and linking. US speakers often have a slightly flatter /æɪ/ dynamics and more pronounced rhoticity in surrounding segments; UK speakers may have a crisper onset and slightly shorter /ɪŋ/; Australian tends toward a more centralized /ɪ/ and smoother vowel transitions, with less vowel tension. All share the /ˈeɪ/ on the first syllable, but subtle timing and vowel height alter perceived color.
The challenge lies in linking the diphthong /eɪ/ to the affricate /dʒ/ and the final /ɪŋ/ without adding extra vowels or breaking rhythm. The /dʒ/ must be released quickly from /eɪ/ into the /ɪ/ without a noticeable pause, and the final /ŋ/ should be velar and nasalized without lip rounding. Coarticulation with neighboring sounds increases difficulty; practice smooth transitions and keep the jaw relaxed to avoid an awkward /dʒɪŋ/ mispronunciation.
A unique question is: Do you keep the /dʒ/ phoneme as an affricate in rapid speech or blend into a softer /ʒ/ in casual talk? In natural speech, fast delivery often engages a quicker, lighter /dʒ/ release, sounding almost like /dʒ/ but with reduced amplitude. The safest approach is to practice a firm, brief /dʒ/ followed immediately by /ɪŋ/, maintaining the first-syllable stress.
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