Era vs. Age — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 7, 2024
Era refers to a significant period marked by distinctive features, events, or developments, while age is a broader term denoting an extended period of time, often within a specific historical, geological, or personal context.
Difference Between Era and Age
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Era typically signifies a well-defined historical period with notable characteristics or events, such as the Victorian Era, marked by Queen Victoria's reign and distinct cultural, industrial, and political developments. On the other hand, age can refer to broader time spans with more general characteristics, like the Bronze Age, defined by the widespread use of bronze in tools and weapons, or to the stages of life, such as old age.
In terms of usage, era is often used in a more formal or academic context to denote significant historical periods or phases in various fields, such as art, music, or science. Age, however, has a wider application, encompassing geological time periods, personal life stages, or epochs in history without the precise demarcations often associated with eras.
The distinction also lies in the scale and impact of the time periods they describe. An era often conveys a sense of transformation or pivotal change within a society or field, whereas an age might denote a broader, more gradual span of time with a less defined beginning and end.
Era and age also differ in their common collocations and idiomatic expressions. Phrases like "the digital era" or "the era of globalization" highlight specific influential periods, while "the age of discovery" or "the information age" denote broader historical or contemporary periods characterized by overarching themes or technological advancements.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A distinct period marked by particular features or events.
A long period of time, often historical or geological.
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Context
Often used in historical, cultural, or scientific contexts to denote significant periods.
Used in a wide range of contexts, including historical, geological, personal, and technological.
Connotation
Implies a more specific and significant period with a clear beginning and end.
Broad and can refer to extended periods with less defined boundaries.
Examples
Victorian Era, Enlightenment Era.
Stone Age, Digital Age, Middle Ages.
Common Usage
Refers to a notable period within a larger timeline, often associated with significant changes.
Can denote both vast historical epochs and personal life stages, such as childhood or old age.
Compare with Definitions
Era
A segment of time notable for its influence in history.
The Roman era contributed significantly to modern legal and political systems.
Age
A period characterized by a predominant feature or condition.
The Ice Age was a time of extensive glacial coverage on Earth.
Era
A phase within a larger historical timeline with a unique identity.
The Industrial Revolution era marked a turning point in manufacturing and technology.
Age
A broad, undefined period often used in geological and historical contexts.
The Bronze Age saw the widespread use of bronze for tools and weapons.
Era
A duration associated with a particular figure or phenomenon.
The Napoleonic era was defined by Napoleon's leadership and the wars he led.
Age
A term used to denote stages in life or history.
During the golden age of Hollywood, cinema experienced unprecedented growth.
Era
A distinct period marked by specific events or characteristics.
The Renaissance era was known for its advancements in art and science.
Age
A word that can describe personal development stages.
In old age, individuals often reflect on their life experiences and achievements.
Era
A term often used in scholarly contexts to categorize historical periods.
Historians often study the Victorian era for its social reforms and cultural norms.
Age
A descriptor for contemporary periods marked by technological or cultural themes.
We live in the digital age, where information is readily accessible.
Era
An era is a span of time defined for the purposes of chronology or historiography, as in the regnal eras in the history of a given monarchy, a calendar era used for a given calendar, or the geological eras defined for the history of Earth. Comparable terms are epoch, age, period, saeculum, aeon (Greek aion) and Sanskrit yuga.
Age
The length of time that a person has lived or a thing has existed
He died from a heart attack at the age of 51
He must be nearly 40 years of age
Era
A period of time as reckoned from a specific date serving as the basis of its chronological system.
Age
A distinct period of history
An age of technological growth
Era
A period of time characterized by particular circumstances, events, or personages
The Colonial era of US history.
The Reagan era.
Age
Grow old or older
The tiredness we feel as we age
Era
The longest division of geologic time, made up of one or more periods.
Age
The length of time that a person or thing has existed
A man 23 years of age.
Wanted to know the age of the house.
Era
A time period of indeterminate length, generally more than one year.
Age
The time of life when a person becomes qualified to assume certain civil and personal rights and responsibilities, usually at 18 or 21 years; legal age
Under age.
Of age.
Era
(geology) A geochronologic unit of tens to hundreds of millions of years; a subdivision of an eon, and subdivided into periods.
Age
One of the stages of life
The age of adolescence.
At an awkward age.
Era
A fixed point of time, usually an epoch, from which a series of years is reckoned.
The foundation of Solomon's temple is conjectured by Ideler to have been an era.
Age
The state of being old; old age
Hair white with age.
Era
A period of time reckoned from some particular date or epoch; a succession of years dating from some important event; as, the era of Alexander; the era of Christ, or the Christian era (see under Christian).
The first century of our era.
Age
A period of time marked by a distinctive characteristic, achievement, or figure
The Stone Age.
The computer age.
The Elizabethan Age.
Era
A period of time in which a new order of things prevails; a signal stage of history; an epoch.
Painting may truly be said to have opened the new era of culture.
Age
A period in the history of the earth, usually shorter than an epoch
The Ice Age.
Era
A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
Age
The period of history during which a person lives
A product of his age.
Era
A major division of geological time; an era is usually divided into two or more periods
Age
A generation
Ages yet unborn.
Age
Ages(Informal) An extended period of time
Left ages ago.
Age
To cause to become old or to show the signs of becoming old
The stress of the office visibly aged the president.
Age
To cause to mature or ripen under controlled conditions
Aging wine.
Age
To change (the characteristics of a device) through use, especially to stabilize (an electronic device).
Age
To become old or show signs of becoming old
Who doesn't want to age gracefully?.
Age
To develop a certain quality of ripeness; become mature
Cheese aging at room temperature.
Age
(countable) The whole duration of a being, whether human, animal, plant, or other kind, being alive.
Age
(countable) The number of full years, months, days, hours, etc., that someone, or something, has been alive.
Age
(countable) One of the stages of life.
The age of infancy
Age
(countable) The time of life at which some particular power or capacity is understood to become vested.
The age of consent; the age of discretion
Age
(countable) A particular period of time in history, as distinguished from others.
The golden age; the age of Pericles
Age
(countable) A great period in the history of the Earth.
The Bronze Age was followed by the Iron Age; the Tithonian Age was the last in the Late Jurassic epoch
Age
(astrology) One of the twelve divisions of a Great Year, equal to roughly 2000 years and goverened by one of the zodiacal signs; a Platonic month.
Age
(countable) A period of one hundred years; a century.
Age
(countable) The people who live during a particular period.
Age
(countable) A generation.
There are three ages living in her house.
Age
A long time.
It’s been an age since we last saw you.
Age
The shortest geochronologic unit, being a period of thousands to millions of years; a subdivision of an epoch (or sometimes a subepoch).
Age
The right of the player to the left of the dealer to pass the first round in betting, and then to come in last or stay out; also, the player holding this position; the eldest hand.
Age
(uncountable) That part of the duration of a being or a thing which is between its beginning and any given time; specifically the size of that part.
What is the present age of a man, or of the earth?
Age
(uncountable) Mature age; especially, the time of life at which one attains full personal rights and capacities.
To come of age; she is now of age
Age
(uncountable) An advanced period of life; the latter part of life; the state of being old, old age, senility; seniority.
Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age, sometimes age just shows up all by itself.
Age
(intransitive) To grow aged; to become old; to show marks of age.
He grew fat as he aged.
Age
To be viewed or turn out in some way after a certain time has passed.
His prediction that we didn't stand a chance hasn't aged well, now that we've won the cup.
Age
(transitive) To cause to grow old; to impart the characteristics of age to.
Grief ages us.
Age
To postpone an action that would extinguish something, as a debt.
Money's a little tight right now, let's age our bills for a week or so.
Age
To categorize by age.
One his first assignments was to age the accounts receivable.
Age
(transitive) To indicate that a person has been alive for a certain period of time, especially a long one.
Age
The whole duration of a being, whether animal, vegetable, or other kind; lifetime.
Mine age is as nothing before thee.
Age
That part of the duration of a being or a thing which is between its beginning and any given time; as, what is the present age of a man, or of the earth?
Age
The latter part of life; an advanced period of life; seniority; state of being old.
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
Age
One of the stages of life; as, the age of infancy, of youth, etc.
Age
Mature age; especially, the time of life at which one attains full personal rights and capacities; as, to come of age; he (or she) is of age.
Age
The time of life at which some particular power or capacity is understood to become vested; as, the age of consent; the age of discretion.
Age
A particular period of time in history, as distinguished from others; as, the golden age, the age of Pericles.
Truth, in some age or other, will find her witness.
Age
A great period in the history of the Earth.
Age
A century; the period of one hundred years.
Fleury . . . apologizes for these five ages.
Age
The people who live at a particular period; hence, a generation.
The way which the age follows.
Lo! where the stage, the poor, degraded stage,Holds its warped mirror to a gaping age.
Age
A long time.
Age
The right belonging to the player to the left of the dealer to pass the first round in betting, and then to come in last or stay out; also, the player holding this position; the eldest hand.
Age
To grow aged; to become old; to show marks of age; as, he grew fat as he aged.
They live one hundred and thirty years, and never age for all that.
I am aging; that is, I have a whitish, or rather a light-colored, hair here and there.
Age
To cause to grow old; to impart the characteristics of age to; as, grief ages us.
Age
How long something has existed;
It was replaced because of its age
Age
An era of history having some distinctive feature;
We live in a litigious age
Age
A time in life (usually defined in years) at which some particular qualification or power arises;
She was now of school age
Tall for his eld
Age
A late time of life;
Old age is not for sissies
He's showing his years
Age hasn't slowed him down at all
A beard white with eld
On the brink of geezerhood
Age
A prolonged period of time;
We've known each other for ages
I haven't been there for years and years
Age
Begin to seem older; get older;
The death of his wife caused him to age fast
Age
Grow old or older;
She aged gracefully
We age every day--what a depressing thought!
Young men senesce
Age
Make older;
The death of his child aged him tremendously
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age?
The Stone Age is characterized by the use of stone tools, while the Bronze Age is marked by the advancement to bronze tools and weapons.
What defines an era?
An era is defined by significant events, developments, or characteristics that give it a distinct identity within a historical timeline.
Are there scientific eras?
Yes, in fields like geology and astronomy, eras are used to denote significant periods, such as the Mesozoic Era in Earth's history.
How does the concept of age apply to personal life?
In personal life, age can denote stages such as childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age, each with distinct characteristics.
Is the term "digital age" considered an era or an age?
"Digital age" is generally considered an age, highlighting the broad impact of digital technology across various aspects of life and society.
How is an era named?
Eras are often named after pivotal figures, significant events, or prevailing characteristics that define them.
What is the significance of the "age of exploration"?
The "age of exploration" refers to the period when European explorers expanded their horizons, leading to significant global interactions.
Can an era and an age overlap?
Yes, an era and an age can overlap; an era can be part of a broader age, but they have different emphases in terms of significance and scope.
Is the concept of an era applicable in all fields of study?
While the concept of an era is most commonly used in history and geology, it can also apply in fields like literature, art, and science to denote periods with distinct characteristics.
Can the terms era and age be used interchangeably?
While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often carry different connotations regarding specificity and scope.
How do historians determine the boundaries of an era?
Historians use significant events, social changes, and technological advancements to mark the beginnings and ends of eras.
How do eras impact cultural identity?
Eras can significantly shape cultural identity by influencing art, literature, music, and societal norms during their span.
Can a single event mark the beginning of an era?
Yes, a single influential event can sometimes mark the beginning of an era if it leads to widespread and lasting changes.
How do geological ages differ from historical ages?
Geological ages are based on Earth's physical and biological changes over time, while historical ages are defined by human activities and societal developments.
Do eras and ages have clear-cut boundaries?
The boundaries of eras and ages can be somewhat fluid, often determined by historical consensus rather than precise dates.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
