Skip to content
E EnglishDart
A2

Elder vs Older

Elder is used only for family members — my elder brother. Older works for everything — an older car, an older brother (both correct).

The one-line answer

Elder is used only for family members — my elder brother. Older works for everything — an older car, an older brother (both correct).

elder

adjective

older — used only for family relationships: elder brother, elder sister

  • My elder sister lives in London.
  • He's the elder of the two brothers.
  • She has two elder brothers.

older

adjective

more advanced in age — the general comparative of 'old' for people and things

  • My older sister lives in London. (also correct)
  • This building is much older than that one.
  • She looks older than she is.

Memory trick

Elder stays inside the family — think of an 'elder' at a family gathering. For everything else use older, and never say 'elder than' — only 'older than' works in comparisons.

Elder vs Older: Test yourself

Question 1 of 2

My ___ brother taught me to swim.