juvie

[ joo-vee ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a juvenile, especially a juvenile delinquent ( def ).
2. juvenile court ( def ).
3. juvenile detention center ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of juvie¹

First recorded in 1940–45; by shortening and alteration

Example Sentences

“He spent time in ‘juvie,’ became a ward of the state.”

From Seattle Times

“Shiny suit. Expensive shoes. You’ve gotta have money to have a lawyer like that. Maybe he can help me out too. Or maybe I can look after you. Keep you safe once we get to juvie. It won’t cost your family much.”

From Literature

Two and a half years in juvie didn’t sound generous to Sara, but it probably wasn’t much worse than her last few foster homes.

From Literature

“Two and a half years in juvie and I’m banned from using a computer.”

From Literature

Like a gender-inverted "Superbad," Sennott and Edebiri's characters start a high school fight club under the false pretense of going to juvie and believing in women's solidarity all in an effort to have sex with the school's hot cheerleaders.

From Salon

Related Words

• felon
• hoodlum
• juvenile delinquent
• lawbreaker
• offender
• wrongdoer