adjective

hale

HAYL/heɪl/

Healthy and strong, especially in old age.

The hale elderly gardener lifts a heavy soil sack with steady strength.

An elderly gardener lifts a heavy sack of soil with steady posture while younger neighbors watch admiringly, making robust health and strength in old age visible.

Etymology

haleOld Englishwhole, healthy, uninjured

Old English hāl linked good health with being whole and uninjured. Hale preserves that connection in describing someone as free from infirmity, especially in old age.

In context

Trillium Health Partners presenter0:44

And at a personal level I'm hale and hearty and healthy,

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Grunge presenter2:36

After all, Bilbo seems hale and hearty during his birthday celebration at the beginning

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More examples

She returns from her long hike looking hale and hearty.
His hale appearance reassures us after his recent illness.
Several hale retirees in their nineties attend the reunion.

Forms

hale · haler · halest

Similar words

healthy: Describes good health without emphasizing strength or advanced age.
robust: Emphasizes physical strength and endurance rather than freedom from infirmity.
hearty: Suggests lively energy and vigor as well as good health.