WordLens

elder

1 of 2noun
/ˈɛldər/
Forms:elders
1

a person older in age or experience than another

  • You should respect your elders.
  • He sought advice from a family elder.
  • The village elders gathered to discuss the dispute.
  • She learned traditional stories from her tribal elders.
  • As an elder, he was often asked to mediate conflicts.
Synonyms:
2

a senior member or officer in certain Christian churches

  • The elder led the congregation in prayer.
  • Church elders met to plan the upcoming service.
  • He was ordained as an elder after years of service.
  • The elder offered counsel to younger members.
  • A group of elders oversees church discipline.
3

a shrub or small tree of temperate and subtropical regions, bearing clusters of white flowers and dark berries

  • An elder grew beside the fence, heavy with berries.
  • The elder produces fragrant blossoms in early summer.
  • Birds often feed on the fruit of the elder.
  • The hedgerow was thick with wild elder.
  • They harvested elder berries for making syrup.
Synonyms: