geriatric
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌdʒɛrɪˈætrɪk/
KK: /ˌdʒɛrɪˈætrɪk/
adjective
Definition
This word describes something that is connected to old age or the care of elderly people.
Example
The hospital has a special unit for geriatric patients who need extra care.
Conversation
Have you seen the new geriatric fitness classes at the community center?
Yeah, I think it's great that they're offering options for older adults.
I wonder if they have exercises that are easy on the joints.
I bet they do — it's all about keeping the geriatric population active!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
elderly
aged
senior
Antonyms
young
youthful
modern
noun
Definition
A person who is elderly or old, often referring to someone who is in their later years of life.
Example
The hospital has a special unit for geriatric patients who need extra care.
Conversation
I just started volunteering at a home for geriatric patients.
That's really nice! What do you do there?
I help organize activities to keep the geriatric residents engaged.
Root Explanation
Geriatric → It is formed from "geras" (meaning old age) and the suffix "-iatric" (from Greek "iatros", meaning physician or healer). The word refers to the branch of medicine that deals with the health care of elderly people.
Memory Tip
Think of 'geras' meaning old age and '-iatric' relating to a physician — geriatric is the field of medicine focused on caring for the elderly.
Visually Confused Words
geratic
veratric
theriatrics
perigastric
periarthric
iatric