young

1 of 2

adjective

ˈyəŋ 

younger ˈyəŋ-gər  ; youngest ˈyəŋ-gəst 

1

a

: being in the first or an early stage of life, growth, or development

b

: junior sense 1a

c

: of an early, tender, or desirable age for use as food or drink

fresh young lamb

a young wine

2

: having little experience

3

a

: recently come into being : new

a young publishing company

b

: youthful sense 5

4

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of youth or a young person

young at heart

5

capitalized : representing a new or rejuvenated especially political group or movement

youngish

ˈyəŋ-ish 

adjective

youngness

ˈyəŋ-nəs 

noun

young

2 of 2

noun

plural young

1

plural

a

: young persons : youth

b

: immature offspring

—used especially of animals

2

: a single recently born or hatched animal

Phrases

with young

of a female animal

: pregnant

Synonyms

Adjective

• adolescent
• immature
• juvenile
• youngish
• youthful

Examples of young in a Sentence

Adjective

He looks young for his age.

A very nice young man greeted us at the door.

Young people today have a lot of opportunities.

He dreamed of being an artist when he was young.

The movie isn't suitable for young viewers.

He's still too young to buy alcohol legally.

Our youngest daughter just started school.

“When I was young,” the man said, “the world was a different place.”

The season is still young.

Noun

music that appeals to the young

The very young and the elderly are particularly sensitive to the disease.

a robin feeding her young

The young of a wolf are called pups.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And if there was damage on younger roofs, insurers were willing to accept a repair instead of a full replacement, Metcalf said. —Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024

Ernst, who lives in Middleton, Wis., is the author of 20 historical novels and mysteries for young readers from American Girl, 11 books in the Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mysteries, and nonfiction history and poetry. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024

Noun

Being thrust into fame young can be difficult to begin with, and with secrets like these ones piling up, the exposure would be even more terrifying. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

That means orphaning of dependent young by the thousands. —Thomas Pool, The Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English yong, from Old English geong; akin to Old High German jung young, Latin juvenis

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

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

Phrases Containing young

• angry young man
• egg foo young
• tender (young) age
• the young
• with young
• years young
• young adult
• young and old
• young at heart
• young gun
• young offender
• young/old for one's years
• young Turk
• you're only young once

Kids Definition

young

1 of 2 adjective

ˈyəŋ 

younger ˈyəŋ-gər  ; youngest ˈyəŋ-gəst 

1

a

: being in the early stage of life, growth, or development

b

: junior entry 1 sense 1a

2

: lacking in experience

3

: recently come into being : new

young rock strata

4

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of youth or a young person

young at heart

youngness

ˈyəŋ-nəs 

noun

young

2 of 2 plural noun

1

: young persons : youth

music that appeals to the young

2

: immature or recently born offspring

a bear and her young

Medical Definition

young

noun

ˈyəŋ 

plural young

1

: immature offspring

—used especially of animals

2

: a single recently born or hatched animal

Biographical Definition

Young 1 of 6

biographical name (1)

ˈyəŋ 

Andrew Jackson, Jr. 1932–     U.S. ambassador to U.N. (1977–79)

Young

2 of 6

biographical name (2)

Brig*ham ˈbri-gəm  1801–1877 American Mormon leader

Young

3 of 6

biographical name (3)

Cy originally Denton True Young 1867–1955 American baseball player

Young

4 of 6

biographical name (4)

Michael W(arren) 1949–     American geneticist

Young

5 of 6

biographical name (5)

Owen D. 1874–1962 American lawyer

Young

6 of 6

biographical name (6)

Whitney Moore 1921–1971 American civil rights leader