age
/eɪd͡ʒ/
The word conveys the inevitable progression of time, shifting between a precise measurement (chronology) and a broad conceptual era (epoch). In its noun form, it can feel clinical when referring to a number, but emotional or nostalgic when referring to a stage of life. When used as "an age," it takes on a hyperbolic quality, emphasizing a feeling of boredom or longing. As a verb, the word describes a process of transformation. In humans, this often carries a connotation of decay or wisdom; in objects like wine or cheese, it implies an improvement in quality through maturation.
Countable when referring to a distinct historical epoch ('The Bronze Age') or an exaggeratedly long wait ('It took ages'). Uncountable when discussing the general concept of how old someone is ('Age is just a number') or a specific stage of maturity ('Coming of age').
💬Casual Conversation
DAVID WHY DOES THIS PHOTO MAKE ME LOOK MY AGE???
Mom please stop. Just let it slide.
Meanings
The length of time that a person has lived or a thing has existed.
"He is twenty years of age."
A particular period of history characterized by a specific feature or event.
"The Bronze Age saw the first use of metal tools."
The period of life during which a person has certain characteristics.
"The children are at an age where they are very curious."
Collocations & Compounds
legal age
The minimum age at which a person is legally entitled to do something.
You must be the legal age to buy cigarettes.
middle age
The period of life between youth and old age.
He started a new career in middle age.
childhood age
The specific age during childhood.
Children at this age are very curious.
average age
The mean age of a group of people.
The average age of the class was twenty.
digital age
The current era characterized by widespread use of digital technology.
We live in the digital age.
Phrasal Verbs
age out
To become too old for something.
He will age out of the junior league next year.
age into
To reach an age where one is permitted or capable of doing something.
She can't wait to age into driving.
Idioms & Sayings
over the hill
Past one's prime; too old to do something.
He thinks he's over the hill at thirty-five.
in this day and age
In modern times; nowadays.
In this day and age, such behavior is unacceptable.
age like fine wine
To look or seem better or more attractive as one gets older.
She truly ages like fine wine.
of age
Having reached the legal age for adulthood.
He will be of age next month.
for ages
For a very long time.
I haven't seen him for ages.
Etymology
The word 'age' entered Middle English from Old French 'aage', which itself derived from the Latin word 'aevum', meaning 'lifetime' or 'eternity'. This Latin root can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'aiw-', meaning 'vital force, life, long life'. This same root is the source of words like 'eternal', 'eon', and 'longevity'. In its earliest English uses, 'age' referred to a long, indefinite period of time, and it gradually narrowed to mean the duration of a person's life or the time elapsed since birth. The concept of specific historical 'ages' (like the Stone Age or the Bronze Age) developed later, reflecting a more structured understanding of historical periods.