What does sexagenarian mean?
A sexagenarian is a person between 60 and 69 years old, and the word can also function as an adjective for someone in that age range. Its precise age designation distinguishes it from the broader expression “a person in their sixties,” although it is more formal and less commonly used in everyday speech. The term may carry neutral, complimentary, or occasionally subtly ironic associations, depending on context: calling someone a sexagenarian can emphasize experience or suggest continued activity and vitality. It is often used in biographical writing, profiles, and discussions of age-related performance or achievement. The word derives from Latin sexagenarius, from sexagenarius meaning “sixty-year-old,” reflecting the traditional grouping of years in tens. It belongs to a family of age terms that includes septuagenarian for people in their seventies and octogenarian for those in their eighties.
A person aged between 60 and 69 inclusive.
"The award was presented to a sexagenarian whose inventions transformed the industry."
Formal and relatively uncommon; “someone in their sixties” is more natural in most conversation.
Having the age of 60 to 69 years.
"The team welcomed a sexagenarian coach with extensive competitive experience."
Often neutral or complimentary, especially when emphasizing experience, achievement, or continued activity.
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple people aged 60 to 69.
"Several sexagenarians attended the reunion."
Sexagenarian comes from the Latin sexagenarius, meaning “sixty-year-old,” and precisely identifies someone in their sixties.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sexagenarian come from?
Sexagenarian comes from Latin sexagenarius, meaning “of or relating to sixty” and used for a person in the sixties. English adopted the word in the 18th century, when comparable age terms such as septuagenarian and octogenarian were also in use. Its cognate sexagenary refers to a period or grouping of sixty, while sexagesimal denotes a system based on sixtieths.
How sexagenarian is actually used
The term is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday conversation, where “someone in their sixties” is usually more natural. It can be neutral, flattering, or even complimentary when referring to experience, vitality, or achievement.
Easily confused with sexagenarian
A sexagenarian is a person in their sixties, whereas sexagenary means relating to the number 60 or a system based on groups of sixty.
A sexagenarian is aged 60 to 69, while a septuagenarian is aged 70 to 79.