Preview word — Sign up to unlock all 2948+ words
aged
verb
Having lived for a long time; old. Also, having been kept for a period of time, often to improve flavor or quality, as in aged cheese or aged whiskey.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English: from Old French *aage*, from late Latin *aevaticum* 'age'.
Root: aevaticum (Latin: age) — "do, drive"
Example
"The aged professor, now ninety-three, still delivered lectures with the same passion he had shown for decades."
Usage Notes
When referring to people, 'aged' is often more formal and respectful than 'old'. 'The aged woman' can sound more dignified than 'the old woman', though context is important. When referring to food and drink, 'aged' implies a process of maturation that typically enhances quality and flavor. 'Aged X' can also denote X years old. Register: formal to neutral, preferred in respectful contexts.