octogenarian

UK: /ˌɒktədʒɪˈneəriən/ | US: /ˌɑːktədʒɪˈneriən/

Definition

  1. n. a person who is between 80 and 89 years old

Structure
octo <eight>gen <birth/age>arian <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "octogenarian" derives from Latin roots:

  • "octo" (eight) refers to the eighth decade of life (80–89 years).
  • "gen" comes from "genus" (birth, age), indicating a stage of life.
  • The suffix "-arian" forms nouns denoting a person associated with a specific condition or age.
    The term logically combines these elements to describe someone in their 80s, preserving the numerical clarity of Latin prefixes in English age-related vocabulary.
Examples

  1. My grandmother became an octogenarian last year and still enjoys gardening.

  2. The retirement community hosts special events for octogenarians.

  3. As an octogenarian, he reflects on a lifetime of experiences.

  4. The study focused on health trends among octogenarians.

  5. She is the youngest octogenarian I’ve ever met—full of energy!