aged

Having a particular age.

• Her son is aged seven.
• He died aged eighty-two.
• The club welcomes children aged five to twelve.

How to use it: aged + number (The class is for children aged six.); aged between A and B (Participants were aged between twenty and thirty.)

Similar words: -year-old

Common phrases: aged ten, aged eighteen, children aged five

Kept for some time so that its taste or quality improves.

• I prefer aged cheese.
• The wine was aged in oak barrels.
• Have you tried their aged beef?

How to use it: aged in something (This whiskey is aged in wooden barrels.); aged for + time (The cheese is aged for twelve months.)

Similar words: matured, mature

Common phrases: aged cheese, aged whiskey, aged in oak

Having lived or existed for many years.

• An aged man opened the door.
• She cared for her aged parents.
• The aged tree stood beside the church.

Similar words: old, elderly, ancient

Opposites: young, new

Common phrases: aged parent, aged man, aged tree

Old people considered as a group.

• The aged need good care.
• The charity provides meals for the aged.
• These homes were built to support the aged.

How to use it: the aged + plural verb (The aged are entitled to free transport here.)

Similar words: the elderly, older people

Opposites: the young

Common phrases: the aged, care for the aged