# Source: https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/prompting-guide/9-prompting-references/describing-age-and-life-stage.md

# Describing Age and Life Stage

When prompting for people, describing age clearly can shape the outcome just as much as physical features or clothing. However, many AIs don’t reliably interpret numeric ages (e.g., “a 7-year-old girl”) with visual accuracy. Instead of specifying numbers, it’s more effective to use descriptive, life stage–based terms. This appendix breaks those terms into two parts per group: age terms and modifiers to help communicate the age and physical traits more accurately.

You can mix and match across each category for more controlled image generation.

#### **Infant (0–1)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Newborn, baby, infant
* **Modifiers**\
  Chubby, swaddled, soft-cheeked, sleeping, wide-eyed, tiny limbs, smooth skin, round cheeks

#### **Toddler (1–3)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Toddler, young toddler, early walker
* **Modifiers**\
  Baby-faced, wobbling, curly-haired, pudgy, chubby cheeks, short limbs, clumsy

#### **Young Child (4–7)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Young child, small child, preschooler, kindergartener
* **Modifiers**\
  Playful, curious, big-eyed, tousled hair, toothy smile, energetic, innocent expression, round face

#### **Older Child (8–12)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Older child, grade-schooler, school-aged kid, preteen
* **Modifiers**\
  Freckled, active, gap-toothed, lean-limbed, lively, transitional build, early maturity

#### **Teenager (13–17)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Teenager, adolescent, high school–aged, teenage girl/boy
* **Modifiers**\
  Moody, gangly, early puberty, developing features, serious gaze, youthful but mature, growing taller, soft jawline

#### **Young Adult (18–25)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Young adult, college-aged adult, late teen, youthful adult, stylish young man/woman
* **Modifiers**\
  Fresh-faced, smooth-skinned, subtly mature, vibrant, minimal wrinkles, soft features

#### **Adult (26–39)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Adult, early 30s adult, adult in their prime, mature young man/woman
* **Modifiers**\
  Refined features, confident, glowing skin, strong jawline, well-groomed, composed, healthy appearance, mature presence

#### **Middle-Aged (40–59)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Middle-aged adult, mature adult, adult in their 40s or 50s
* **Modifiers**\
  Distinguished, subtle wrinkles, salt-and-pepper hair, thoughtful expression, experienced face, graceful aging, defined lines, mature elegance, visible signs of life experience

#### **Senior (60–79)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Senior, older adult, elderly man/woman, grandparent
* **Modifiers**\
  Silver-haired, deep smile lines, wrinkled skin, wise eyes, cane or reading glasses

#### **Elder / Advanced Age (80+)**

* **Age Terms**\
  Elder, aged elder, very old person
* **Modifiers**\
  Frail, thin white hair, deeply wrinkled, slow-moving, hunched posture, fragile yet dignified, timeless expression

#### Age Modifiers by Life Stage

These descriptive modifiers can enhance the emotional tone, physical appearance, or personality of a character based on their age group. While some are flexible, most are naturally suited to a specific stage of life.

* **Youth-Oriented Modifiers:**\
  Youthful, baby-faced, radiant with youth, fresh-faced, full of life, soft-featured, innocent-looking
* **Neutral or Crossover Modifiers:**\
  Mature presence, confident, refined, composed, healthy-looking, well-groomed, graceful
* **Age-Related or Elder-Oriented Modifiers:**\
  Aging gracefully, time-worn, dignified aging, weathered by time, wise-looking, timeless beauty, deeply lined, gentle presence