German edit

Etymology edit

alt (old) +‎ -lich

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈɛlt.lɪç/
  • Audio:(file)

Adjective edit

ältlich (strong nominative masculine singular ältlicher, comparative ältlicher, superlative am ältlichsten)

  1. (of a person) appearing older than one is; particularly: having the untimely appearance of an elderly person
    Die Braut war eine große, schon etwas ältliche Frau.
    The bride was a tall, already a bit elderly-looking woman.
  2. (of physical traits, behaviour, etc.) appearing old or elderly; giving the appearance of advanced age (whether untimely or not)
    Die modische Brille stand in scharfem Gegensatz zu seinem ältlichen Gesicht.
    His fashionable glasses were in sharp contrast to his elderly face.

Declension edit

Further reading edit

  • ältlich” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • ältlich” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon