youth

noun

ˈyüth 

plural youths ˈyüt͟hz  ˈyüths 

often attributive

1

a

: the time of life when one is young

especially : the period between childhood and maturity

b

: the early period of existence, growth, or development

2

a

: a young person

especially : a young male between adolescence and maturity

b

: young persons or creatures

—usually plural in construction

3

: the quality or state of being youthful : youthfulness

Synonyms

• boy
• boychick
• boychik
• boyo [Irish]
• callant [chiefly Scottish]
• lad
• laddie
• nipper
• shaveling
• shaver
• sonny
• stripling
• tad

Examples of youth in a Sentence

She had a troubled youth.

He spent his youth in the Midwest.

He got into a lot of trouble in his youth.

a generation trying to recapture lost youth

when the industry was still in its youth

Four youths are suspected of starting the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

The program is available for youth who live or go to school within SacRT’s service area, which also includes Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova and parts of Sacramento County. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024

Other defendants include former Arizona Republican Party chair Kelli Ward, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, attorneys Jenna Ellis and Christina Bobb, former Turning Point USA youth director Tyler Bowyer and Arizona Republican state election officials. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English youthe, from Old English geoguth; akin to Old English geong young — more at young

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing youth

• fountain of youth
• in the flower of one's youth
• misspent youth
• the youth
• youth club
• youth hostel
• youth rally

Kids Definition

youth

noun

ˈyüth 

plural youths ˈyüt͟hz  ˈyüths 

1

: the time of life when one is young

especially : the period between childhood and adulthood

2

a

: a young man

b

: young people

the youth of today

—usually used with a plural verb

3

: the quality or state of being young