senile

[ see-nahyl, -nil, sen-ahyl ]
/ ˈsi naɪl, -nɪl, ˈsɛn aɪl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR senile ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning, especially short-term memory and alertness, as a result of old age or disease.
of or belonging to old age or aged persons; gerontological; geriatric.
Physical Geography. (of topographical features) having been reduced by erosion to a featureless plain that stands everywhere at base level. Compare peneplain.

noun

a senile person.

Origin of senile

1655–65; < Latin senīlis old, equivalent to sen(ex) old man (akin to senior) + -īlis -ile

OTHER WORDS FROM senile

un·se·nile, adjective

Words nearby senile

sengi, sengstaken-blakemore tube, senhor, senhora, senhorita, senile, senile amyloidosis, senile arteriosclerosis, senile cataract, senile dementia, senile elastosis

Words related to senile

aged, ancient, decrepit, doddering, doting, feeble, imbecile, infirm, old, sick, weak, anile, enfeebled, senescent, shattered

Example sentences from the Web for senile

British Dictionary definitions for senile

senile
/ (ˈsiːnaɪl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of old age
mentally or physically weak or infirm on account of old age
(of land forms or rivers) at an advanced stage in the cycle of erosion See old (def. 18)

Derived forms of senile

senilely, adverb senility (sɪˈnɪlɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for senile

C17: from Latin senīlis, from senex an old man

Medical definitions for senile

senile
[ sē′nīl′, sĕn′īl′ ]

adj.

Relating to, characteristic of, or resulting from old age.
Exhibiting the symptoms of senility, as impaired memory or the inability to perform certain mental tasks.