Synonyms for elder
- noun
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Predecessor
predecessor, forerunner, antecessor dated
Other
father, senior citizen, pastor, oldest, old-timer, elderberry, antediluvian, black elder, oldster, mzee
Adjective
Definitions
- n. 1
A leader or senior member of a tribe or community, often of considerable age, respected as an authority figure, especially in a counselling, consultative, or ceremonial role.
We were presented to the village elder.
- adj. 1
comparative degree of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.
The elder of the two was also an elder statesman.
Related words
- Word family
- elderberry elder-blow eldern
- Phrases
- ground elder black elder dwarf elder box elder salt marsh elder
Forms
- Plural
- elders → predecessors, forerunners, antecessors, fathers…
Example sentences
- forerunner Alchemy was the forerunner of modern chemistry.
- oldest The oldest republic in Europe is named San Marino.
- pastor Tom is the pastor at the church that Mary goes to.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| elder | rising | |
| forerunner | falling | |
| oldest | steady | |
| pastor | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- grey1, gray1, mzee
- 5 letters
- older2
- 6 letters
- father2, senior2, oldest2, pastor2
- 7 letters
- elderly3, oldster2
- 8 letters
- superior4
- 9 letters
- geriatric4
- 10 letters
- forerunner3, elderberry, antecessor
- 11 letters
- predecessor4
- 12 letters
- antediluvian
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (older2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
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- aîné