pensioner

Everyday

1. A person who gets a pension — regular money paid after they stop working, usually because they are old. tree →
2. (UK, Australia, Ireland) An older person in general, as in «old-age pensioner» (OAP). tree →
3. (informal, sometimes cheeky) A playful word for someone acting old. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life pensioners get discounts: «Pensioners pay half price» — a maths problem may ask how much a group pays when pensioners' tickets cost less. In stories a kind pensioner next door helps the children. In US English «retiree» or «senior (citizen)» is more usual. Phrases: «old-age pensioner», «pensioner discount», «a pensioner living alone».

Examples

• My nan is a pensioner and goes to the library every day. tree →
• Pensioners pay $3, adults pay $6. tree →
• The bus is free for pensioners. tree →
• A pensioner lost her purse at the market. tree →
• Two adults and two pensioners went to the cinema. tree →
• We help the pensioners in our street with their shopping. tree →
• Granddad says being a pensioner means he can nap whenever he likes. tree →

Note

Countable: a pensioner, pensioners. More common in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand; in the US say «senior» or «retiree». Polite alternatives: older person, senior. In ticket problems count pensioners separately because they pay a different price.