young - Dictionary definition and pronunciation

young

ng) KEY

ADJECTIVE:
young·er , young·est

Being in an early period of life, development, or growth.
Newly begun or formed; not advanced: The evening is still young.
Of, belonging to, or suggestive of youth or early life: He is young for his age.
Vigorous or fresh; youthful.
Lacking experience; immature: a young hand at plowing.
Being the junior of two people having the same name.
Geology Being of an early stage in a geologic cycle. Used of bodies of water and land formations.

NOUN:

Young persons considered as a group; youth: entertainment for the young.
Offspring; brood: a lioness with her young.

IDIOM:
with young

Pregnant.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English yong, from Old English geong; see yeu- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
youngness (Noun)

SYNONYMS:
young , youthful , adolescent , immature , juvenile , puerile , green

These adjectives mean of, relating to, characteristic of, or being in an early period of growth or development. Young is the most general of the terms: a young child. Youthful suggests characteristics, such as enthusiasm, freshness, or energy, that are associated with youth: youthful ardor. Adolescent specifically implies the characteristics of those in the period between childhood and maturity: adolescent insecurity. Immature applies to what is not yet fully developed; it sometimes suggests that someone falls short of an expected level of maturity: an emotionally immature adult. Juvenile connotes immaturity, often childishness: the juvenile pranks of the conventioneers. Puerile is used derogatorily to suggest silliness, foolishness, or infantilism: a puerile joke. Green implies lack of training or experience and sometimes callowness: green recruits who couldn't deal with the emergency.

Primary Navigation

Definition of young