juvenile

1 of 2

adjective

ju·​ve·​nile ˈjü-və-ˌnī(-ə)l  -nᵊl 

1

: physiologically immature or undeveloped : young

juvenile birds

2

a

: of, relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for children or young people

juvenile fiction

b

: of or relating to young people who have committed or are accused of committing a criminal offense

the juvenile justice system

juvenile crime

3

: reflecting psychological or intellectual immaturity : childish

juvenile behavior

juvenile pranks

told him he was being juvenile

4

: derived from sources within the earth and coming to the surface for the first time

—used especially of water and gas

juvenile

2 of 2

noun

plural juveniles

1

a

: a young person : youth

often, specifically : an individual who is under an age fixed by law (such as 18 years) at which he or she would be charged as an adult for a criminal act

… some states also have been changing their laws to give school administrators more access to the records of juveniles whose cases were processed by juvenile courts.

—Peter Schmidt

b

: a book for children or young people

2

: a young individual resembling an adult of its kind except in size and reproductive activity: such as

a

: a fledged bird not yet in adult plumage

b

: a 2-year-old racehorse

3

: an actor or actress who plays youthful parts

Synonyms

Adjective

• adolescent
• immature
• young
• youngish
• youthful

Noun

• bairn [chiefly Scottish]
• bambino
• bud
• chap [Southern & Midland]
• chick
• child
• cub
• kid
• kiddie
• kiddy
• kiddo
• moppet
• sprat
• sprout
• squirt
• whelp
• youngling
• youngster
• youth

Examples of juvenile in a Sentence

Adjective

She criticized his juvenile behavior at the party.

a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg

Noun

She works to keep juveniles away from drugs.

a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The properties include schools, child care centers, juvenile detention or correctional facilities, libraries, parks, playfields intended for sports, playgrounds, recreation centers and more. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024

The teenager was arrested Wednesday and is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, possession of a handgun by a juvenile and a sentence-enhancing charge for an aggravated juvenile offender, the district attorney’s office said in a news release Friday. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2024

Noun

The 15-year-old boy was arrested the day of the shooting and was being held in a detention facility for juveniles Thursday. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024

No other details about the teen or case were released because the suspect is a juvenile. Adams County sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting at Rotella Park at 1824 Coronado Pkwy. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French or Latin; French juvénile, from Latin juvenilis, from juvenis young person — more at young

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1733, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing juvenile

• juvenile court
• juvenile delinquency
• juvenile diabetes
• juvenile hormone
• juvenile officer
• juvenile-onset diabetes

Kids Definition

juvenile

1 of 2 adjective

ju·​ve·​nile ˈjü-və-ˌnīl  -vən-ᵊl 

1

: showing incomplete development : immature, childish

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of children or young people

juvenility

ˌjü-və-ˈnil-ət-ē

noun

juvenile

2 of 2 noun

1

: a young person, animal, or plant

2

: a book for young people

3

: an actor who plays youthful parts

Medical Definition

juvenile

1 of 2 adjective

ju·​ve·​nile ˈjü-və-ˌnīl  -vən-ᵊl 

1

: physiologically immature or undeveloped

juvenile fish

2

: of, relating to, characteristic of, or affecting children or young people

juvenile arthritis

3

: reflecting psychological or intellectual immaturity

juvenile behavior

juvenile

2 of 2 noun

1

: a young person

especially : one below the legally established age (as of 18) of adulthood

2

: a young individual resembling an adult of its kind except in size and reproductive activity

Legal Definition

juvenile

noun

ju·​ve·​nile

ˈjü-və-ˌnīl, -nəl

: an individual who is under an age fixed by law (as 18 years) at which he or she would be charged as an adult for a criminal act compare minor