Elder, eldest (examples, how to use)
We can use elder and eldest as an alternative to older and oldest to explain the order of birth of family members.
We use elder when we speak about two brothers or sisters (also called siblings), or two sons or daughters:
- his elder brother, his elder sister
- their eldest son, their eldest daughter, their eldest child
- the elder of the two daughters
- the elder of the two
- the elder of the two siblings.
We use eldest when we speak about three or more brothers, sisters or siblings:
- the eldest of three children
- the eldest son
- the eldest of the four siblings.
Example sentences
- Diana Spencer-Churchill was the eldest child of Winston and Clementine Churchill.
- Mike McCartney is the elder brother of Paul McCartney.
- I’m the eldest of three children.
- My eldest brother is ten years older
elderthan me.
Compare elder and older, eldest and eldest:
- He’s their eldest son.
He’s the oldest kid in the class. - Jo’s my elder sister.
She’s three years older than me.
Antonio Cruz - March 21, 2021, 1:43 pm
When referring to the first four daughters out of five, do you say the four elder daughters or the four eldest daughters? Thank you for your reply.
Miriam Romero - May 6, 2021, 4:38 pm
According to what i know,the correct one would be “elder daughters”, eldest would be only the first born
Anonymous - January 6, 2023, 4:14 am
If I have 3 younger siblings, how would I write that I am the eldest?
Anonymous - January 6, 2023, 10:02 pm
Ya i was wondering the same.
Anonymous - January 6, 2023, 4:14 am
If I have 3 younger siblings, how would I write that I am the eldest?
Elizabeth Robinson - June 19, 2023, 2:20 am
the eldest of 4 siblings?