youth

¹

[ yooth ]

noun

, plural youths [yooths, yoo, th, z], (collectively) youth.

1. the condition of being young.

   Antonyms: maturity

2. the appearance, freshness, vigor, spirit, etc., characteristic of one who is young.
3. the time of being young; early life:

   His youth was spent on the farm.

   Synonyms: immaturity, minority

   Antonyms: maturity

4. the period of life from puberty to the attainment of full growth; adolescence.
5. the first or early period of anything:

   The business, even in its youth, showed great potential.

6. young persons collectively.
7. a young person, especially a young man or male adolescent.

   Synonyms: boy, lad, stripling, adolescent, teenager, youngster

Youth

²

[ yooth ]

noun

1. Isle of Youth [ahyl, , uh, v , yooth]. an island in the Caribbean, a special municipality in southern Cuba. 1,182 sq. mi. (3,060 sq. km).

youth

¹

/ juːθ /

noun

1. the quality or condition of being young, immature, or inexperienced

   his youth told against him in the contest

2. the period between childhood and maturity, esp adolescence and early adulthood
3. the freshness, vigour, or vitality characteristic of young people

   youth shone out from her face

4. any period of early development

   the project was in its youth

5. a young person, esp a young man or boy
6. young people collectively

   youth everywhere is rising in revolt

Youth

²

/ juːθ /

noun

1. Isle of Youth
   an island in the NW Caribbean, south of Cuba: administratively part of Cuba from 1925. Chief town: Nueva Gerona. Pop: 80 600 (2002 est). Area: 3061 sq km (1182 sq miles) Former nameIsle of Pines Spanish nameIsla de la Juventudˈizla ðe la xuβenˈtuð

Derived Forms

• ˈyouthless, adjective

Other Words From

• youthless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of youth¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English youthe, Old English geoguth; cognate with Dutch jeugd, German Jugend

Word History and Origins

Origin of youth¹

Old English geogoth; related to Old Frisian jogethe, Old High German iugund, Gothic junda, Latin juventus

Example Sentences

But her youth wasn’t just doom and gloom.

From Los Angeles Times

So maybe the naysayers and detractors of online gaming and its ill effects on youth need to stand down.

From Science Daily

The court heard that the boy had then "completely lost control", raining punches on Mr Rollinson's head and body, before being pulled away by another youth.

From BBC

Some of his proposals specifically target gender-affirming care for youth, which has been a focal point for groups that contend it harms children who don’t understand the implications of such treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

At one time, he had an invite to try out for the Real Salt Lake Academy in Utah, part of the MLS Next program that is designed to develop top youth players.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• minority
• teens