Elder vs. Older

Elder (adjective)

Comparative of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.

Elder (noun)

An older person or an older member, usually a leader, of some community.

“We were presented to the village elder.”

Elder (noun)

One who is older than another.

“Respect your elders.”

Elder (noun)

One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.

Elder (noun)

An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.

Elder (noun)

A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.

“a travelling elder”

Elder (noun)

One ordained to the lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.

“After being a member of the Church for a while, Bill was ordained to the office of elder.”

“Jack had been an elder for only a few days when he received a new calling.”

Elder (noun)

Male missionary.

“The elders are coming over for dinner tonight.”

Elder (noun)

Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.

“One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.”

Elder (noun)

A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.

Elder (noun)

A small tree, Sambucus nigra, having white flowers in a cluster, and edible purple berries

Elder (noun)

Any of the other species of the genus Sambucus: small trees, shrubs or herbaceous perennials with red, purple, or white/yellow berries (some of which are poisonous).

Elder (verb)

To admonish or reprove for improper conduct by the elders of the meeting.

“I was eldered for directly responding to someone else’s message in meeting for worship.”

Older (adjective)

, elder, senior

“My older brother and I are Catholic twins. He’s older by eleven months, not quite a year older than me.”

Older (adjective)

elderly

“The thoughtful lad helped an older lady across the street.”