French word

vieillir

Pronunciation

IPA/vjejiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbget older

Example

Mon grand-père vieillit chaque année.

My grandfather gets older every year.

Illustration for vieillir (get older)

More examples

Beaucoup préfèrent vieillir chez eux plutôt qu'en institution.

Many prefer to grow old at home rather than in an institution.

Core concept

A person or thing gradually changes as time adds age, showing the passage of years in appearance or condition.

Common phrases

  • vieillir ensemble

    grow old together

  • vieillir chez soi

    grow old at home

Similar words

paraître: Look or seem a certain way.
grandir: Increase in age or size through physical development.
rajeunir: Become younger-looking or younger in age.
s'user: Wear out and lose strength through use or age.

Definition in French

Acquérir de l'âge sous l'effet du temps, en marquant un changement progressif.

Word origin

Vieillir developed in Old French from the adjective vieil and ultimately traces back to Latin vetus, meaning old.

Usage tips

  • Vieillir emphasizes an ongoing change, while être vieux describes the resulting state, as in Mon grand-père vieillit and Il est vieux.

Other meanings

  • become outdatedverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word