grey-headed
/'grei'hedid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having grey or white hair, especially as a sign of age: The primary meaning describes a person whose hair has turned grey or white, typically due to advancing age.
- Very old, ancient, or venerable: Used figuratively to describe something that is extremely old, long-established, or respected due to its age.
Usage Examples
Literal (describing a person): The grey-headed gentleman sat quietly on the park bench.She became a wise, grey-headed elder in her community.
Figurative (describing something ancient or long-established): The scholars studied the grey-headed traditions of the ancient culture.He is a grey-headed expert in his field, with over fifty years of experience.
Advanced Usage
- "Grey-headed in": This construction indicates being experienced or long-practiced in a particular area. (He is very experienced in diplomacy.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gray-headed: An alternative spelling, primarily used in American English.
- Hoary (adj): An older, more literary synonym meaning grey or white with age, or very old. (e.g., )
- Grizzled (adj): Having grey or partly grey hair, often implying a streaked or rough appearance. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- White-haired
- Silver-haired
- Aged
- Venerable (when used figuratively)
Antonyms
- Youthful
- Dark-haired
- Young
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Grey hairs: A phrase referring to the worries or troubles that cause one's hair to turn grey.
- Respect your elders: While not containing the word, this idiom relates to the venerable aspect of being "grey-headed."
Adjective
- showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
- whose beard with age is hoar-Coleridge
- nodded his hoary head