aged and older share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. aged means “advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)”. older means “advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)”. older is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈeɪdʒd/
1.adj.advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)
“aged members of the society”
2.adj.at an advanced stage of erosion (pronounced as one syllable)
“aged rocks”
3.adj.having attained a specific age; (`aged' is pronounced as one syllable)
“aged ten”
/ˈoʊldɚ/
1.adj.advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)
“aged members of the society”
2.adj.used of the older of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a father from his son
“Bill Adams, Sr.”
3.adj.skilled through long experience
“an old offender”
| aged | older | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈeɪdʒd/ | /ˈoʊldɚ/ |
| Said | ayjd | OHL-dur |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Letters | 4 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | adjective, noun | adjective |
| Senses | 6 | 3 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | elderly, older, senior | aged, elderly, senior |
Full entry for aged · Full entry for older · More comparisons