age

 
Pronunciation: /eɪdʒ/

noun

  • 1the length of time that a person has lived or a thing has existed: he died from a heart attack at the age of 51 he must be nearly 40 years of age
  • a particular stage in someone’s life: children of primary school age
  • [mass noun] the state of being old: fine wine improves with age
  • 2a distinct period of history: an age of technological growth
  • Geology a division of time that is a subdivision of an epoch, corresponding to a stage in chronostratigraphy.
  • (ages/an age) British informal a very long time: I haven’t seen her for ages

verb (ages, ageing or aging, aged)

[no object]
  • grow old or older: the tiredness we feel as we age
  • [with object] cause to appear old or older: he even tried ageing the painting with a spoonful of coffee
  • (with reference to an alcoholic drink, cheese, etc.) mature or allow to mature: [no object]: the wine ages in open vats or casks [with object]: a cheese that has been aged for four months
  • [with object] determine how old (something) is: we didn’t have a clue how to age these animals

Phrases

act (or be) one's age

[usually in imperative] behave in a manner appropriate to someone of one’s age and not to someone younger.

come of age

reach adult status (in UK law at 18, formerly 21).
(of a movement or activity) become fully established: space travel will then finally come of age

of an age

  • 1old enough to be able or expected to do something: the sons are of an age to marry
  • 2(of two or more people or things) of a similar age: the children all seemed of an age

through the ages

throughout history: the influence of Greek culture through the ages

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, based on Latin aetas, aetat-, from aevum 'age, era'

Spelling help

Ageing is usually spelled with an e, although aging is also correct.