Senile
adjective
Showing weak mental ability because of old age.
My grandfather is becoming a bit senile.
Often appears as...
- become senile
- seem senile
adjective
Experiencing loss of mental abilities, like memory, related to diseases in old age.
He was diagnosed as senile in his late seventies.
Often appears as...
- diagnosed as senile
- senile dementia
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Showing weak mental ability because of old age.
My grandfather is becoming a bit senile.
Often appears as...
- become senile
- seem senile
adjective
Experiencing loss of mental abilities, like memory, related to diseases in old age.
He was diagnosed as senile in his late seventies.
Often appears as...
- diagnosed as senile
- senile dementia
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Age-Sensitive
Use 'senile' carefully as it may sound disrespectful when describing elderly people.
It's unkind to say he's senile just because he forgets things.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Medical
'Senile' sometimes refers to age-related forgetfulness, not necessarily a diagnosed condition.
Grandma's occasional forgetfulness doesn't mean she's senile.
Pro Tip 3/3Offensive Potentials
Be cautious; 'senile' can offend if used to stereotype or mock the elderly.
Calling someone senile as a joke can be hurtful.
Pro Tip 1/3Age-Sensitive
Use 'senile' carefully as it may sound disrespectful when describing elderly people.
It's unkind to say he's senile just because he forgets things.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Medical
'Senile' sometimes refers to age-related forgetfulness, not necessarily a diagnosed condition.
Grandma's occasional forgetfulness doesn't mean she's senile.
Pro Tip 3/3Offensive Potentials
Be cautious; 'senile' can offend if used to stereotype or mock the elderly.
Calling someone senile as a joke can be hurtful.
Pro Tip 1/3Age-Sensitive
Use 'senile' carefully as it may sound disrespectful when describing elderly people.
It's unkind to say he's senile just because he forgets things.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Medical
'Senile' sometimes refers to age-related forgetfulness, not necessarily a diagnosed condition.
Grandma's occasional forgetfulness doesn't mean she's senile.
Pro Tip 3/3Offensive Potentials
Be cautious; 'senile' can offend if used to stereotype or mock the elderly.
Calling someone senile as a joke can be hurtful.
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Video examples
What adults can learn...
You must lend an ear today, because we are the leaders of tomorrow, which means we're going to take care of you when you're old and senile. No, just kidding. No, really, we are going to be the next generation, the ones who will bring this world forward.
Video examples
New Human Ancestor...
when you're looking at well over a dozen in fact probably around eighteen different individuals represent all different age spans from near-fatal age to senile individuals and we're the last
Video examples
What adults can learn...
You must lend an ear today, because we are the leaders of tomorrow, which means we're going to take care of you when you're old and senile. No, just kidding. No, really, we are going to be the next generation, the ones who will bring this world forward.
Video examples
New Human Ancestor...
when you're looking at well over a dozen in fact probably around eighteen different individuals represent all different age spans from near-fatal age to senile individuals and we're the last
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jacques Dubochet
Swiss Scientist
We see chemistry, how the atoms are arranged in the molecules, how the disease changes the arrangement. Perhaps we will find which drug disentangles the aggregates that make a brain senile. Many of us are interested in such things.
Quote examples
Mother Angelica
American Educator
Every retarded, deformed, crippled, handicapped, or senile person, who has been baptized, is a powerhouse for good in a wicked world by reason of the grace of God that dwells in his soul.
Quote examples
Jonathan Brandis
American Actor
I attended a very small junior high and specially in the end that became a disaster. The principal was pretty senile and a drunk, so the children more or less runned the school.
Quote examples
Elon Musk
South African Businessman
I just want to retire before I go senile because if I don't retire before I go senile, then I'll do more damage than good at that point.
Quote examples
Tennessee Williams
American Dramatist
All your Western theologies, the whole mythology of them, are based on the concept of God as a senile delinquent.
Quote examples
Carlos Santana
Mexican Musician
Your wrinkles either show that you're nasty, cranky, and senile, or that you're always smiling.
Quote examples
Henry Adams
American Historian
Young men have a passion for regarding their elders as senile.
Quote examples
Jacques Dubochet
Swiss Scientist
We see chemistry, how the atoms are arranged in the molecules, how the disease changes the arrangement. Perhaps we will find which drug disentangles the aggregates that make a brain senile. Many of us are interested in such things.
Quote examples
Mother Angelica
American Educator
Every retarded, deformed, crippled, handicapped, or senile person, who has been baptized, is a powerhouse for good in a wicked world by reason of the grace of God that dwells in his soul.
Quote examples
Jonathan Brandis
American Actor
I attended a very small junior high and specially in the end that became a disaster. The principal was pretty senile and a drunk, so the children more or less runned the school.
Quote examples
Elon Musk
South African Businessman
I just want to retire before I go senile because if I don't retire before I go senile, then I'll do more damage than good at that point.
Quote examples
Tennessee Williams
American Dramatist
All your Western theologies, the whole mythology of them, are based on the concept of God as a senile delinquent.
Quote examples
Carlos Santana
Mexican Musician
Your wrinkles either show that you're nasty, cranky, and senile, or that you're always smiling.
Quote examples
Henry Adams
American Historian
Young men have a passion for regarding their elders as senile.
Example 1 of 7
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