French Conversation · Level 31
89 words
French word
vieillesse
Pronunciation
IPA/vjɛjɛs/
Meaning
- feminine nounold age
Example
Elle accepte sa vieillesse.
She accepts her old age.
More examples
La vieillesse apporte souvent de la sagesse.
Old age often brings wisdom.
Core concept
The long accumulation of age-related changes viewed as a condition rather than a single event.
Common phrases
la vieillesse
old age
vieillesse active
an active old age
Similar words
âge: The length of time a person has lived, measured in years.
vieillissement: The process of growing older and undergoing related physical and mental changes.
personne âgée: An older adult.
Definition in French
Désigne la condition d'être vieux, entendu comme l'ensemble des transformations physiques, mentales et sociales liées à l'âge.
Word origin
The noun continues an Old French formation based on vieil, related to vieux and vieillir, with -esse marking an abstract state; its deeper root is Latin vetus.
Usage tips
- Vieillesse names a state or period, while vieillissement more often names the process of growing old.
Opposites
- jeunesseyouthnoun
Related words
- vieillirgrow oldverb
- vieillissementagingnoun