Gerontophilia
/ˌdʒɛr.ənˈtɒf.ɪ.li.ə/noun
Sexual attraction to elderly people or significantly older adults.
Did you know?The term was popularized in modern sexology in the early twentieth century, drawing on Greek gérōn, “old man,” and philía, “love” or “affection.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵerh₂-
“To grow old or mature; the ancestral root associated with old age.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gérōn
“An old man or elder.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
philos
“Loving, dear, beloved, or friendly.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
philía
“Affection, friendship, or love.”
Early 20th Century
English
gerontophilia
“A term in sexology for sexual attraction toward elderly people.”
Modern English
English
gerontophilia
“Sexual attraction to elderly people or significantly older adults.”
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