age
age
Pronunciation
age /eɪdʒ/
ei - /eɪ/
dge - /dʒ/
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: age
Plural: ages
Verb:
Base: age
Past Simple: aged
Past Participle: aged
Present Participle: aging/ageing
Third Person Singular Present: ages
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
The length of time that a person, animal, or thing has existed.
Example: She started learning to play the piano at a young age.
Synonyms: longevity, duration, period, span
Antonyms: youth (in the context of being young), newness (in the context of an object's age)
A particular period of human history marked by specific characteristics or events.
Example: The Stone Age was a time of significant human development.
Synonyms: era, epoch, period, time
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific period)
The later part of life; old age.
Example: He's showing signs of his age, but he's still sharp.
Synonyms: old age, seniority, elderliness, twilight years
Antonyms: youth, childhood, infancy
Verb
To grow or cause to grow older; to show the effects of time.
Example: Fine wine ages gracefully.
Synonyms: mature, ripen, grow, develop, deteriorate (when used negatively)
Antonyms: rejuvenate, preserve (in the sense of preventing aging)
To become or cause to become suitable for use by undergoing a process of maturing or ripening.
Example: The cheese needs to age for several months before it's ready.
Synonyms: mature, cure, season, mellow
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this specific sense, as it implies a necessary process)
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - Here, "age" refers to a historical period.
"At my age, I've seen enough to know that life isn't always fair." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) - This refers to a person's stage of life.
"He had aged considerably since she last saw him, his hair now streaked with grey." (Nora Roberts, Under the Surface) - Here, "aged" is used as a verb describing the process of getting older.
Newspapers:
"The debate over the legal drinking age in many countries continues to spark controversy." (The New York Times, 2025) - Refers to a specific numerical age.
"Scientists are studying ways to slow down the aging process in humans." (The Wall Street Journal, 2025) - "Aging" is used as a gerund, referring to the process.
"The Golden Age of Hollywood saw the rise of iconic movie stars." (The Guardian, 2025) - Refers to a historical period.
Online Publications:
"Is 30 the new 20? Why millennials are redefining mid-life age expectations." (Bustle.com, 2025) - Discusses societal perceptions of age.
"Tips for helping your pet age gracefully." (PetMD.com, 2025) - Uses "age" as a verb, in the context of animals.
"The digital age has transformed how we communicate and connect." (Mashable.com, 2025) - Refers to the current technological era.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "She's only sixteen, but she acts beyond her age." (Stranger Things, Netflix) - Refers to maturity relative to chronological age.
Film: "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny explores themes of growing older and coming to terms with age." (Paramount Pictures, 2023) - Refers to the concept of old age.
Music: "Forever young, I want to be forever young, do you really want to live forever, forever, and ever, forever young." (Alphaville, "Forever Young") - While not directly using "age," the song's theme is a desire to avoid aging.
Video Games: "In Elden Ring, players must brave dangers that have existed since the Age of the Erdtree." (Bandai Namco Entertainment, 2022) - Refers to a fictional historical era within the game's lore.
Podcast: "Our latest episode discusses the challenges of dating in the modern age." (Call Her Daddy, Spotify, 2025) - Refers to the current period.
General Public Discourse:
"What age are you looking to retire at?" (Common question in casual conversation) - Refers to a numerical age.
"This antique table has really aged well, considering its history." (Referring to an object's appearance over time) - Uses "aged" as a verb, describing a positive process of aging.
"It's an age-old problem, but we're still looking for solutions." (Colloquial expression meaning a long-standing issue) - Uses "age-old" as an adjective phrase.
"My grandparents are a good example of how to age gracefully." (Conversation about growing older) - Uses "age" as a verb, followed by an adverb.
"In this day and age, you can find almost anything online." (Common idiom referring to the present time) - Refers to the current era.
10 Famous Quotes Using Age
"With age, comes wisdom." (Attributed to various sources, often appears as a proverb)
"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand who saith 'A whole I planned, youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!'" (Robert Browning, "Rabbi Ben Ezra")
"Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age." (Victor Hugo)
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." (C.S. Lewis) Though not using "age" directly, this quote is synonymous with defying the limitations often associated with age.
"Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young." (Fred Astaire)
"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." (Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time)
"I am not young enough to know everything." (Oscar Wilde) This quote playfully alludes to the wisdom that comes with age.
"Do not go gentle into that good night. Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light." (Dylan Thomas, "Do not go gentle into that good night")
"Youth is a gift of nature, but age is a work of art." (Stanislaw Jerzy Lec)
"The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age." (Aldous Huxley)
Etymology
The word "age" has a pretty long and interesting journey through languages!
It comes to us from Old French, where it was "aage" or "eage." This French word, in turn, came from a Latin word, "aetatem" (which meant "age" or "lifetime"). This Latin word itself was a shortened version of an even older Latin word, "aevitas," which ultimately comes from the really ancient Latin word "aevum," meaning "time," "lifetime," or even "eternity."
So, you can see a clear path from a very ancient idea of "time" or "lifetime" all the way to our modern "age."
The first known use of "age" in English, as a noun, was around the 13th century (specifically around 1275). At that time, its primary meaning was about a "long but indefinite period in human history." Think of it like "the Stone Age" or "the Bronze Age" – a broad stretch of time. Soon after, in the early 14th century, it also started to be used to mean the "time something has lived, a particular length or stage of life." So, if you were talking about someone's age in years, that meaning came into play shortly after its initial historical period meaning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Age
Come of age: To reach maturity, legally or socially.
Act your age: To behave in a manner appropriate for one's chronological age.
Age-old: Very old; having existed for a very long time.
In this day and age: Currently; in the present time.
For ages: For a very long time.
Under age: Not old enough to do something legally (e.g., drink alcohol, vote).
Of a certain age: Euphemism for being middle-aged or older.
The tender age of: Used to refer to someone's young age, often with a sense of vulnerability.
Middle age: The period of life between youth and old age, typically considered to be from about 40 to 60.
Age before beauty: A jocular phrase, often used when allowing an older person to go first.
Age like fine wine: To improve with age.
Age gracefully: To grow older with dignity and poise.
To feel your age: To feel tired or less capable due to getting older.
Beyond one's age: More mature or knowledgeable than typical for one's age.
The golden age: A period of great prosperity and achievement.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of age from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
