: an often mildly eccentric and usually elderly fellow
old codger

Examples of codger in a Sentence

Her father is a feisty old codger. just an old codger who never harmed anyone
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Popular culture’s usual parade of toothless codgers and crones increasingly seemed obsolete. Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024 Otto is also suicidal — something A Man Called Otto never sufficiently dramatizes, cheapening the codger’s despair as the film prepares for the feel-good ending to come. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of cadger

First Known Use

circa 1738, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of codger was circa 1738

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Cite this Entry

“Codger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/codger. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

: an odd or cranky fellow

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