Words / B1

AYJ-ing/ˈeɪdʒɪŋ/

Ageing means growing older: an ageing population; ageing infrastructure. Aging is US spelling. Elderly is about people; old is everyday. UK news uses ageing population with social care and pensions. Do not call a child ageing, and do not mix it with ageism (prejudice against older people).

Meaning

Becoming older; also used about a population with more older people.

Examples

• “An ageing population will increase demand for social care.”
• “An ageing population will increase demand for GP appointments.”
• “The ageing rolling stock broke down again in the heat.”

Good to know

UK: ageing. US: aging. News: ageing population / infrastructure. Mix-up: ageism. People: elderly.

New