Meanings
- not comparableobsoleteOf or related to the number 80, particularly
- not comparableobsoleteSynonym of octogenarian: lasting or aged 80 years; 80-year-old.
[…] he went to visit him, being then octogenary, and very decrepid with the gowt, but had his sight and understanding.
a. 1697, John Aubrey, “......De Laune”, in Brief LivesSynonyms: octogenarian
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveSynonym of octogenarian: lasting or aged 80 years; 80-year-old.
nounSynonym of eightysomething: a person 80 to 89 years old.
Origin
- Latinoctōgēnus“80 each”
- Frenchoctogénaire
- Latinoctōgēnārius“containing 80”
- Englishoctogenary
From Latin octōgēnārius (“containing 80”) either directly or via French octogénaire, from Latin octōgēnus (“80 each”) + -ārius (“-ary”), from octōgintā (“eight tens, 80”). Cognate with octogenarian.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
octogenary. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/octogenary
“octogenary.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/octogenary. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “octogenary,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/octogenary.
Source: octogenary on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.