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 company continues to focus on advancing SLK in Phase 3 clinical trials for hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriatic arthritis, with additional trials planned for juvenile HS, palmoplantar pustulosis, and axial spondyloarthritis. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024

The stalks on the juvenile Arthropleura resemble those of a crab, which could point to the creature having an amphibious youth before becoming terrestrial in adulthood. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

So far this year, 37 juveniles have been shot in Cincinnati, according to police data. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2024

Responding officers found several victims before soon arresting a juvenile at the scene, per police. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 25 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