age
A1Neutral (common in all registers)
Definition
Meaning
The length of time that a person or thing has existed; a distinct period of history.
Maturation or ripening process; a long period of time (e.g., ages); the state of being old; generational category (e.g., Bronze Age).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions primarily as a noun, but also a verb (transitive/intransitive). The meaning shifts from a measurable quantity (years old) to qualitative states (old age) and metaphorical periods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In BrE, 'age' can be used more readily in compounds like 'age pensioner'; 'aged' (as in 'the aged') is more formal in AmE.
Connotations
Generally identical. Both use 'coming of age', 'age group', 'old age'.
Frequency
Equally frequent and core in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Noun] + of + [age] (the age of the internet)[Verb] + with + [age] (improve with age)[Be] + [age] (He is age 12)[Verb] + [age] + [Object] (The cheese was aged for two years)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “act your age”
- “age before beauty”
- “come of age”
- “a ripe old age”
- “feel your age”
- “be ages with someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to demographic targeting (age group), product lifecycle, or maturity of accounts (aged debt).
Academic
Used in historical periods (Elizabethan Age), developmental psychology (age-related changes), and demographics.
Everyday
Most common for stating how old someone is, complaining about waiting ('I've been here for ages'), or describing life stages.
Technical
In geology (geologic age), law (age of majority), food/drink (aging process), and materials science (age-hardening).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The whisky is left to age in oak casks for at least twelve years.
- He seems to have aged considerably since his illness.
American English
- We aged the beef in a controlled environment for maximum flavor.
- Her worries aged her prematurely.
adverb
British English
- This cheese is aged beautifully.
- (Note: 'aged' as adverb is rare; usually part of compound adjective)
American English
- The wine was aged perfectly in the cellar.
- (See British note)
adjective
British English
- The programme offers activities for age-related illnesses.
- They reviewed the age-specific guidelines.
American English
- We need age-appropriate toys for the toddlers.
- The study looked at age-adjusted mortality rates.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister is ten years of age.
- Children start school at the age of five.
- He looks young for his age.
- You must be 18 years of age to vote.
- The legal drinking age is 21 in some countries.
- We had to wait for ages at the doctor's surgery.
- The company is struggling with an ageing workforce.
- She came of age during a period of great social change.
- The cheese is aged for a minimum of 24 months.
- The policy aims to address the challenges of an ageing population.
- The manuscript dates from the Anglo-Saxon age.
- His views seem remarkably antiquated in this digital age.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AGE: A Great Era. Think of a timeline where each letter marks a period: A(ncient), G(olden), E(ra).
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MOVING OBJECT/CHANGER: 'Age creeps up on you.' LIFE IS A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: 'He entered a new age.'
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'возраст' for non-human things where English uses 'era' or 'period' (e.g., 'the age of dinosaurs' not 'the возраст').
- The phrase 'for ages' means 'for a long time', not 'for different age groups'.
- The verb 'to age' does not directly translate to 'стареть' for objects like cheese or wine; context matters.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'years' instead of 'age' in structures like 'What is your years?' (incorrect) vs. 'What is your age?' (correct but formal).
- Confusing 'age' with 'era' (age is longer/more impactful).
- Using 'an age' incorrectly as a countable noun for a short time.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'This cheese has been aged for two years,' what is the primary meaning of 'aged'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically correct but very formal. In everyday conversation, 'How old are you?' is the natural choice.
An 'age' is a long, distinct period, often marked by a dominant feature (Stone Age, Computer Age). An 'era' is a longer period of history, often defined by a major event or ruler (Victorian era). 'Era' implies a more formal historical classification.
Yes. It can be intransitive ('He has aged well.') meaning to grow older, or transitive ('The stress aged him.') meaning to cause to look or seem older.
It's a common informal idiom meaning 'for a very long time' (e.g., 'I haven't seen you for ages!'). It does not refer to multiple historical periods.
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