geriatrics: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Medical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “geriatrics” mean?
The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people.
The old people receiving such care, considered as a group. Can also refer to the medical treatment and study of diseases of old age.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Both use the term for the medical specialty. Informal use to refer to elderly people as a group is understood in both but may be slightly more common in UK informal contexts.
Connotations
In both, the formal medical term is neutral. Informal use to refer to a group of old people can carry a slightly dismissive, humorous, or derogatory tone.
Frequency
Similar frequency in medical/academic contexts. Slightly higher informal usage in UK media/speech (e.g., 'the hospital geriatrics ward').
Grammar
How to Use “geriatrics” in a Sentence
specialise in + geriatricswork in + geriatricsa consultant in + geriatricsthe study of + geriatricsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “geriatrics” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- She is a geriatrics consultant at the Royal Free.
- The geriatrics ward is on the third floor.
American English
- He is a geriatrics specialist at Johns Hopkins.
- The geriatrics unit received new funding.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like healthcare administration or insurance.
Academic
Common in medical, nursing, and social science texts and courses.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Might be used informally/humorously to refer to a group of older people (e.g., 'I'm playing bowls with the geriatrics this afternoon').
Technical
Core term in medical and healthcare professions, referring to the specialty.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “geriatrics”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “geriatrics”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “geriatrics”
- Using a singular verb for the collective noun sense (e.g., 'The geriatrics is waiting' - incorrect; 'The geriatrics are waiting' is the intended informal usage).
- Confusing 'geriatrics' (medical field) with 'gerontology' (study of aging).
- Misspelling as 'geriatics' (missing the 'r').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular when referring to the medical field ('Geriatrics is a specialty'). Informally, when referring to elderly people as a group, it is treated as a plural noun ('The geriatrics in the home are watching television').
Geriatrics is the branch of medicine focused on the health care and treatment of diseases in old age. Gerontology is the broader, multidisciplinary study of the social, psychological, and biological aspects of aging itself.
No. Using 'geriatrics' to refer to an individual is incorrect and likely to be offensive. Use 'older person', 'elderly person', or 'senior'. The term is for the medical field or, informally, a group.
It is informal and can be perceived as disrespectful or humorous, depending on context. It's best avoided in formal or polite conversation. Stick to 'older adults', 'the elderly', or 'seniors'.
The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people.
Geriatrics: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒer.iˈæt.rɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒer.iˈæ.trɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly from 'geriatrics']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GERI' (like 'geri'-atric, related to old age) + 'ATRICS' (sounds like 'paediatrics' but for the other end of life).
Conceptual Metaphor
OLD AGE IS A MEDICAL SPECIALTY (contrasts with youth as a medical specialty - paediatrics).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of 'geriatrics'?