A1noun1K

Age

UK /["/eɪdʒ/"]/US /["/eɪdʒ/"]/

Definition

the number of years that a person has lived or a thing has existed

In simple words: The number of years someone has lived.

Examples

  • Her age is just a number.
  • He is in the age group of 20 to 30 years.
  • The age of the building is over a hundred years.
  • Children of this age often love to play outside.

Usage notes

Used in both informal and formal contexts. Be careful not to confuse 'age' with phrases like 'young' or 'old' when describing someone.

Grammar pattern

age + object

Memory hint

Think of the phrase 'Age before beauty' to remember 'age'.

Collocations

  • early
  • tender
  • young
  • attain
  • get to
  • live to
  • group
  • range
  • limit
  • at a/​the age
  • between the ages
  • by the age
  • the age of consent
  • somebody’s own age
  • years of age
  • spend
  • take
  • absolutely ages
  • ages ago
  • for ages
  • early
  • tender
  • young
  • attain
  • get to
  • live to
  • group
  • range
  • limit
  • at a/​the age
  • between the ages
  • by the age
  • the age of consent
  • somebody’s own age
  • years of age
  • another
  • bygone
  • different
  • during the… age
  • in a/​the age
  • through the ages
  • in this day and age

Synonyms

  • years
  • duration
  • stage
  • epoch
  • era

Antonyms

  • youth
  • childhood

Common mistakes

  • Using 'age' as a verb incorrectly, e.g., 'I age 25.'
  • Confusing 'age' with 'stage', e.g., 'In this stage of my life.'
  • Saying 'more old' instead of 'older.'