Is aging a word

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Both aging and ageing are correct spellings with the same meanings. However, there is an important distinction between the two. Aging is the only appropriate spelling for American English and Canadian English. Ageing is the standard spelling for British English, and all dialects of English outside of North America.

Which is correct aging or ageing?

The answer is that both are correct! Ageing is the form that is more commonly found, although aging is occasionally used. The norm, of course, is to drop the final ‘e’ when forming the participle: Rage becomes raging as in: ‘The storm was raging.

Is aging with an E?

Aging (spelled without the “E”) is the standard spelling in American English spelling. If you are writing to an American audience, this is the spelling that you will want to use.

What word type is ageing?

How do you spell aging in Canada?

In Canada and the U.S. , the preferred spelling is aging. British usage favours the variant ageing, which is also accepted in Canada.

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Updated: Jul 7th, 2021

Introduction

Human beings will grow from one stage of life to another. The final one is that of old age and it is characterized by sagging skins, spots, and dull tone. While this is a natural process, this paper explains why people use the word “aging” in a derogatory manner.

Aging and Use

Aging is a natural process that human beings should appreciate. Nikolaev and Pavlova (2016) refer to this natural occurrence as the accumulation of psychological, emotional, physical, and mental changes over a period of time. All people will undergo the process and eventually die. Normally, the word is used to describe individuals who are above 60 years of age. People can also use it to examine and describe how old age is associated with various illnesses, such as arthritis, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.

Several reasons explain why many people continue to use the above word in a derogatory manner. Firstly, the norm has emerged whereby elderly persons receive little or no support. In many cases, individuals will apply specific terms to explain how aged individuals are incapable of pursuing their goals (Giasson, Queen, Larkina, & Smith, 2017). Secondly, the negative image many people associate with aging explains why they use the word in a derogatory manner. Thirdly, labeling aging as a risk factor for diseases also explains why this is the case. Fourthly, the absence of powerful strategies to encourage more citizens to live harmoniously with the elderly complicates the situation.

Conclusion

Human beings should appreciate the idea that they will eventually age and learn to respect all senior citizens. They can benefit from guidelines aimed at promoting positive relationships between the elderly and the young. The use of the word in a respectful manner will empower more senior citizens to pursue their aims successfully.

References

Giasson, H. L., Queen, T. L., Larkina, M., & Smith, J. (2017). Age group differences in perceived age discrimination: Associations with self-perceptions of aging. The Gerontologist, 57(2), S160-S168. Web.

Nikolaev, B., & Pavlova, N. (2016). Age discrimination in the US higher education and employment. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 11(18), 10875-10883.

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Spelling differences between American and British English are enough to give writers fits. The same word is often spelled differently, depending on the background of the writer. There are many different spelling conventions between these two language communities, and none of them makes life simpler for writers.

Aging and ageing, for instance, are two spelling variants of the same word. Americans often drop the final -e in words when adding a suffix, but the British are less likely to do so.

Continue reading to find out more about the differences between these words.

What is the Difference Between Ageing and Aging?

In this article, I will compare ageing vs. aging. I will outline when each spelling is appropriate for your writing and use each of them in example sentences.

Plus, I will show you an easy way to remember whether aging or ageing is the better word to choose.

When to Use Aging

What does aging mean? Aging can be an adjective or a verb.

As an adjective, aging means getting older.

As a verb, aging is the present participle of the verb to age, which means to get older.

Check out the examples below,

• The aging bridge could not sustain the weight of so many heavy trucks, and collapsed into the inky blackness of the river.
• Marcia’s laptop was aging gracefully; though it was approaching five years old, it seldom got hot and never crashed.
• Before aging out of the league, Angela scored 36 goals as a member of the Tri-City Triceratops.
• However much they quarreled over illegal immigration, political leaders in both parties used to agree that the U.S. needs more legal immigrants to sustain its aging labor force. –The Wall Street Journal

Aging (spelled without the “E”) is the standard spelling in American English spelling. If you are writing to an American audience, this is the spelling that you will want to use.

When to Use Ageing

What does ageing mean? Ageing is a spelling variant of the same word. Where aging is used in American English, ageing can be used in British English. It has all the same meanings in all of the same contexts.

• The discovery adds to a wave of new findings hinting at the possibility of a future in which doctors can treat ageing itself, rather than trying to combat the host of diseases that come along with it. –The Guardian

This graph shows the relative usage of ageing vs. aging in British English:

Aging appears to have steadily gained popularity in British English over the years. For a brief period it was actually used more often. For the time being, however, ageing is still the standard spelling in British English.

Here is a similar graph charting the two spellings in American English.

As you can see, the use of aging vs. ageing in American English has remained much steadier over time.

The graphs aren’t scientifically accurate, since they only examine books published in English since 1800, but they are still useful for visualizing clear long-term usage trends.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Choosing between these words is as simple as considering the makeup of your audience.

• If you are writing for primarily American readers, choose aging.
• If your readers are more likely to be British, use ageing instead, although British readers will still recognize aging.

Since ageing contains the letter E, like England, knowing when to use this word should be simple.

Summary

Is it ageing or aging? Ageing and aging are spelling variants of the same word. As an adjective, it means getting older. As a verb, it is the present participle of to age.

• Aging is the American variant.
• Ageing is the British variant.

Ageing and England are both spelled with an E. Therefore, remembering to use ageing with British audiences is not difficult.

Don’t forget, you can always reread this article if you need a quick refresher.

What is the difference between ageing and aging?

If you’re discussing someone that’s getting older, are they ageing or aging? As it turns out, both words are simply alternate spellings of the same word. 

The main difference between aging and ageing is simple: 

• “Ageing” is preferred for British English or English dialects outside of North America. 
• Canadian and American English prefers the shortened form of “aging.” 

However, there are several other reasons why grammar students struggle to understand “aging” or “ageing.” 

The word aging is the present participle of the verb “age,” which means ‘to grow older,’ ‘mature,’ or ‘develop over time.’ But outside of its verb form, we can also use “aging” or “ageing” as a noun or adjective. 

The non-exclusive word use of “aging” or “ageing” is confusing at first, but with a little practice, The Word Counter will have your writing style back to A+ material in no time. 

What is the definition of aging or ageing?

The word “aging” or “ageing” is the present participle (gerund) of the verb “age,” while “aged” is the past participle (preterite) form. The term age is a noun, verb, or adjective, but English speakers use “aging” or “ageing” as a verb or an adjective. 

Aging or ageing as a verb

As a verb, the word aging (or ageing) means:

1. To become older or to show the effects of maturity or old age. For example, 

“Aging can cause gray hair, wrinkles, and increased frailty.”
“Young people can expect to feel the effects of aging by their mid to late 20s’.” 

2. The process of developing a desirable characteristic over time (especially for certain foods and wine). For example,

“The gruyere cheese is aging in the cellar.” 
“Let the wine age before calling it ‘vintage.’” 

Verb synonyms

Age [1]: Advancing, developing, graying, growing up, maturing, progressing. 

Age [2]: Blooming, blossoming, developing, flourishing, maturing, opening, ripening.

Aging or ageing as an adjective

The Cambridge Dictionary defines “aging” as an adjective that describes: 

1. The process of getting older. For example,

“Cellular senescence is a part of the aging process.” 

2. Someone or something that is becoming old.

“A healthy lifestyle can increase the life expectancy of aging populations.”

3. Appearing old (also as “aged”). 

“The aging building continues to crumble over time.”
“The cheese is aged.” 

4. For business terminology: something that is outdated or less powerful than before. For example, 

“We doubt the long term value of aging baseball cards.” 

Adjective synonyms

Adult, aged, ancient, elderly, geriatric, long-lived, mature, old, older, over-the-hell, retired, senescent, senior, unyoung. 

Aging or ageing as a noun

The word ageing or aging is a noncount noun that defines “the process of being old,” according to the MacMillan Dictionary. For example, 

“Skincare products can reduce the appearance of aging.” 

Noun synonyms

Advancement, age, maturity, maturation, old age, time. 

The etymology of “age”

The word “age” traditionally indicates a length of time that something existed or a stage of life. The noun form originates from Latin “aetas” for ‘period of life’ and “aevum” for ‘lifetime’ or ‘eternity.’ 

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, Old French adapted the Latin terms around the late 13th century as “aage” or “eage” to mean ‘age,’ ‘life,’ or ‘maturity.’ But sometime during Middle English (c. 1150-1470), the modern use of “age” replaced Old English ‘eld’ for ‘old age’ or ‘period of life.’ 

English speakers did not use “age” as a verb to mean ‘grow old’ until the 14th century, while the adjective “aging” entered the scene around the mid-15th century. Even more surprising is that the noun “age” did not infer “a century” (as in ‘Middle Ages’) until the 19th century. 

How to use aging vs. ageing in a sentence?

Using the verb aging (or ageing) is tricky because it can infer different meanings for certain qualities. For instance, the verb “aging” may convey how someone is growing older, showing signs of maturity and old age, or developing an acquired quality over time. 

Alternatively, English speakers use the word “aging” or “ageing” to describe the act of declining, crumbling, or weakening. But since the verb can describe something through action or a state of being, we can also use “aging” or “ageing” as an adjective or noun. 

How to use aging or ageing as a verb

To use the verb form of aging or ageing correctly, the word must have the ability to transfer its definition to other tense forms without losing its intended meaning. “Age” tense forms include: 

Present tense: “I age” (or “she ages”). 

Present continuous: “I am aging.” 

Present perfect: “I have aged.”

Simple past tense: “I aged.”

Past continuous: “I was aging.”

Past perfect: “I had aged.”

Future tense: “I will age.”

Future continuous: “I will be aging.” 

Future perfect: “I will have aged.”

How to use aging or ageing as an adjective

To use “aging” or “ageing” as an adjective, make sure it describes a noun. For example, 

“Health care professionals regularly warn aging populations about the risk factors associated with COVID-19.”

As shown above, the adjective “aging” describes nouns similarly to phrases like “older people,” “older adults,” or “age group.”

How to use aging or ageing as a noun

We can use aging or ageing as a noun to describe maturity or the process of getting older. Because the word aging is a noncount noun (i.e., it’s singular or plural without adding an “s”), it can represent one process of maturity or several. 

For example, 

“He will do anything to limit the signs of aging.” 
“Everyone experiences aging, whether you’re a teenager, adult, or entering the autumn of one’s life.” 

Aging vs. ageing in the press

When it comes to regional spelling differences, “aging” is the preferred spelling for American English, while “ageing” is more common in the United Kingdom (or outside North America). 

Let’s take a quick look at how “aging” and “ageing” exist within newspapers and websites around the world: 

The United States & Canada:

“Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to fight inflammation and maintain brain structure in aging brains.” –– CNN 
“… scientists aren’t sure what occurs in the brain with aging that contributes to Alzheimer’s.” –– Science Daily 
“A four-year-old dog is similar to a 52-year-old human. Then by seven years old, dog aging slows.” –– Today 
“… breathe new life into aging structures like the CIBC building.” –– Calgary Herald

The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia:

“Does the key to anti-ageing lie in our bones?” –– The Guardian
“As a doctor and healthy ageing expert, I am also very conscious that my food choices can have a big impact on my health …” –– The Sydney Morning Herald
“Ageing is often thought of as a gradual process that happens to the body…” –– BBC News
“The Italians have always enjoyed more neutral wines, light in aroma, alcohol and fruit, with no oak ageing.” –– The Irish Times

How to remember aging vs. ageing?

To remember the difference between aging and ageing, remember that “ageing” is the standard spelling for British English. Therefore, associate the extra letter E with “England.” 

“Ageing” = “Ag-E-ing” = E = England 

FAQ: Related to ageing vs. aging?

Is there a difference between “agism vs. ageism” or “agist vs. ageist”?

The spelling differences for aging vs. ageing also extends to agism or ageism, which is the “prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age,” according to Lexico. American English uses “agism,” while British English prefers to use “ageism.” 

The same spelling variation applies to agist vs. ageist, which are adjectives that describe something as prejudiced or discriminatory against another person’s age. Again, “agist” is the preferred spelling for the US while “ageist” is typical for the UK. 

Test Yourself!

Do your grammar skills withstand the test of time? See how much you’ve learned about ageing vs. aging with the following multiple-choice questions.

1. True or false: The correct spelling for American or Canadian English is “aging”? 
   a. True
   b. False
2. The correct form of the verb “age” in the past tense is _____________.
   a. Aging
   b. Aged
   c. Ageing
   d. A and C
3. For the following sentence, choose the word form of ‘aging:’ “The aging population is concerned about their well-being.”
   a. Noun
   b. Verb
   c. Adjective
   d. Adverb
4. Which of the following phrases does not include the preferred spelling for British English?
   a. Ageing population
   b. Aging process
   c. Population ageing
   d. Ageing process 
5. For the following sentence, choose the correct word for the verb ‘to age’: “The performer’s tweets did not ___________ well.” 
   a. Aging
   b. Ages
   c. Aged
   d. Age

Answers

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. D

Sources

1. “Age.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., 2020.
2. “Age.” Lexico, Oxford University Press, 2020.
3. “Ageism.” Lexico, Oxford University Press, 2020.
4. “Ageing.” Macmillan Dictionary, Macmillan Education Limited, 2020. 
5. “Aging.” Cambridge Dictionary, Cambridge University Press, 2020.
6. Garmeson, Tom. “Why your organs might reach 100 even if you don’t.” BBC News, 25 June 2020. 
7. Gregorevic, Kate. “Exactly what a doctor eats to promote healthy ageing.” The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 July 2020. 
8. Harper, Douglas. “Age (n.).” Online Etymology Dictionary, 2020. 
9. “To age.” Reverso Conjugation, Reverso-Softissimo, 2020. 
10. Hudes, Sammy. “Inglewood residents push back against proposed 12-storey development.” Calgary Herald, 12 July 2020. 
11. Kent, Lauren. “Eating fish could help protect aging brains from air pollution, study finds.” CNN, 15 July 2020. 
12. Salk Institute. “Alzheimer’s drug candidates reverse broader aging, study shows.” ScienceDaily, 10 December 2019.
13. Weisholtz, Drew. “Forget ‘dog years’: Scientists say we’ve been calculating our pups’ ages wrong.” Today, 7 July 2020. 
14. Wilson, John. “Four well-priced alternatives to Pinot Grigio.” The Irish Times, 4 July 2020.