Spanish word

envejecer

Pronunciation

IPA/embexeˈθeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbgrow older

Example

No quiero envejecer tan rápido.

I don't want to grow older so quickly.

Illustration for envejecer (grow older)

More examples

El trabajo intenso me preocupa porque podría hacerme envejecer demasiado rápido.

I worry about the intense work because it could make me grow older too quickly.

Core concept

A person developing gray hair and wrinkles.

Common phrases

  • envejecer demasiado rápido

    grow older too quickly

  • envejecer naturalmente

    grow older naturally

  • envejecer sin darse cuenta

    grow older without noticing

Similar words

cumplir años: Increase in age by one year when a birthday occurs.
hacerse mayor: Grow into an older person, taking on the role or status of being older.
ponerse viejo: Appear older in looks or manner, giving an impression of being elderly.

Definition in Spanish

Llegar a una mayor edad o mostrar señales de desgaste por el paso del tiempo.

Word origin

From Latin inveterescere 'become old', formed from vetus 'old' plus the verbalizing suffix -escere that evolved into Spanish -ecer.

Usage tips

  • Envejecer is usually intransitive for people, and to say someone is getting older in a polite or everyday way Spanish often prefers hacerse mayor or cumplir años.

Other meanings

  • ageverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word