yr old

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yr old" is not correct in standard written English and is considered informal or shorthand.
It is typically used in casual contexts, such as texting or social media, to refer to someone's age. Example: "My daughter is 5 yr old and loves to play outside."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

49 yr old female physician... idiopathic kidney failure.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lot of talk about Chinese 16 yr old swimmer & drugs.

The New York Times

Cardinal Zen speaks to 9 yr old at the protests.

Independent

Cab had a third row seat so 6 yr old son is excited to sit in the back.

TechCrunch

My 3 yr old:"Oh!

Huffington Post

But my 16 yr old self wouldn't listen.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

8 10-yr old children and 14–16-yr old adolescents, attending state schools in Odense, Denmark, and their parents were invited to participate in a cardiovascular study.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Five described (partly) ≥10-yr-old TOM data, 17 studies described (partly) 5 10-yr-old TOM data and three studies described data <5 10-yr-old

European Respiratory Journal

(46-yr old widow; TB patient) "Wherever he goes, it's never by bus.

BMC Public Health

"My 15-yr-old daughter is in the kettle right now.

The Guardian

Third stop: 100-yr-old floating tugboat docked in Hudson near Tribeca.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, always use "years old" instead of the abbreviated "yr old" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using the abbreviation "yr old" in professional emails, academic papers, or any situation where a formal tone is required. Always opt for "years old" to maintain credibility and adhere to standard writing conventions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yr old" serves as an abbreviated form to indicate age. Ludwig AI explains it's typically used informally. It functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, such as "5 "years old" child".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Social Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "yr old" is a common abbreviation for expressing age, predominantly used in informal contexts like social media and casual conversations. Ludwig AI points out that it's not suitable for formal writing, where "years old" is the preferred alternative. Remember that while "yr old" may be acceptable in certain settings, maintaining professionalism and clarity in formal communications requires using the complete phrase ""years old"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

years old

Replaces the abbreviated "yr" with the full word "years", increasing formality.

(number)-year-old

Forms a compound adjective to describe someone's age. For example: 'a 20-year-old student'.

year old

Uses the singular form "year" when referring to one year, which is grammatically appropriate in specific contexts.

of age

Provides a more formal and concise way to indicate age.

aged

Offers a more concise and somewhat formal way to express someone's age.

in his/her/their (number)s

This alternative provides an approximate age range. It is mostly employed in informal contexts.

age of (number)

Directly states the age using a clear and formal structure.

at (number) years

Emphasizes a particular point in someone's life with respect to age.

having lived for (number) years

Highlights the duration of life lived. Often used in very formal or literary contexts.

with an age of (number)

Presents the age as a specific attribute or characteristic.

FAQs

How do I properly use "years old" in a sentence?

Use "years old" after a number to indicate age, such as "She is 25 "years old"" or as part of a compound adjective like "a 25-"year old" student."

Is it acceptable to use "yr old" in formal writing?

No, "yr old" is considered an informal abbreviation. In formal writing, always use the full phrase ""years old"" for clarity and professionalism.

What are some alternatives to saying someone is ""years old""?

You can use phrases like "of age", "aged [number]", or "in his or her [number]s" to convey age in different ways.

What is the difference between "year old" and ""years old""?

"Year old" is used as part of a compound adjective (e.g., a five-"year old" child), while ""years old"" is used after a verb (e.g., The child is five "years old").