3 syllables: El, der, ly. Stress on El.
EL-dur-lee
/ˈɛldɚli/
Elderly is pronounced EL-dur-lee (/ˈɛldɚli/). It has three syllables (El-der-ly), with the stress on "El". Elderly is an adjective describing people who are quite old or advanced in age, typically used to refer to a generation or individuals past middle age. It can carry formal or neutral tone, depending on context, and is commonly used in references to age-related considerations, care, or status. Use with sensitivity to avoid informal diminishment or stereotyping.
adjectiveElderly is an adjective describing people who are quite old or advanced in age, typically used to refer to a generation or individuals past middle age. It can carry formal or neutral tone, depending on context, and is commonly used in references to age-related considerations, care, or status. Use with sensitivity to avoid informal diminishment or stereotyping.
"The elderly community center offers a range of activities for seniors."
"Healthcare programs are tailored to the needs of the elderly."
"The restaurant has discounts for elderly patrons on Wednesdays."
You say it as EL-də-lee, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈɛl.dɚ.li/, UK /ˈel.də.li/, AU /ˈɛl.də.li/. The middle syllable uses a rhotic schwa in US English (əɚ) and a non-rhotic vowel in many UK varieties. Make sure the final -ly is a clear fast syllable rather than a heavy -ly ending. Imagine saying ‘EL’ as in elephant, then ‘der’, then a quick ‘ly’.
Common errors: 1) Reducing the middle syllable too much and conflating /əl/ with a lazy /ə/; keep a light, unstressed /ɚ/ in US. 2) Dropping the final -ly or turning it into 'ell-ee' instead of 'lee' as a light, unstressed -ly; practice with linked speech. 3) Misplacing the primary stress or making the first syllable too soft. Correction: emphasize the first syllable /ˈɛl/ and keep /dɚ/ as a quick, rounded mid-central vowel before a crisp /li/.
US typically has rhotacized middle /ɚ/ in /dɚ/, with a clearer final /li/. UK often lacks rhoticity; /ˈel.də.li/ with a schwa in the middle and a shorter, lighter final syllable. Australian tends to be non-rhotic with broad vowel qualities; /ˈɛl.də.li/ or /ˈel.də.li/ with slightly more clipped final -li. Overall, vowels in the first syllable may be more fronted in US, while UK opens the vowel more and uses a reduced middle vowel. IPA references: US /ˈɛl.dɚ.li/, UK /ˈel.də.li/, AU /ˈɛl.də.li/.
It’s challenging because of the three-syllable rhythm with a reduced middle vowel and the final -ly cluster that often becomes a weak word-end. The US tendency to rhoticate the middle syllable /ɚ/ can blur the boundary between /dɚ/ and /li/. Many speakers also over-pronounce the final -ly or misplace the primary stress if speaking quickly. Focus on keeping a distinct first syllable, a light middle, and a clean final /li/.
A unique feature is the potential assimilation of the /l/ or /d/ in rapid speech, where speakers might smear the /d/ into a softer /ɾ/ or connect it to the following /li/, producing something like /ˈɛl.dɚli/ with a very quick transition into the /li/. This makes careful attention to the boundary between /d/ and /li/ important for accuracy in careful speech.
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The adjective elderly comes from the Old French eldre, influenced by the Latin word senior meaning 'older' or 'older person'. In Middle English, forms related to elder carried connotations of older age and senior rank, often linked to the elder in a family or community. By the 18th century, the spelling and pronunciation aligned more closely with modern English, with elderly taking on a meaning of ‘older people’ when used as a noun adjunct or descriptive adjective. The word preserves a formal, respectful tone, distinguishing age without implying infirmity in most contexts. Over time, elderly has been used in sociological and policy discussions to categorize age-related needs and protections, such as elderly care, elderly housing, and services for the elderly, reflecting societal attention to aging populations.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Elderly" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Elderly"
-lly sounds
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