preteen

American  

[pree-teen] / priˈtin /

noun

1. Also called preteenager.  Also called preteener.  a boy or girl under the age of 13, especially one between the ages of 9 and 12.

2. preteens, the years immediately preceding one's thirteenth birthday.

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adjective

1. designating or characteristic of a preteen or preteens.

   two preteen daughters.

preteen British  

/ priːˈtiːn /

noun

1. a boy or girl approaching his or her teens

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Etymology

Origin of preteen

First recorded in 1950–55; pre- + teen ¹

Example Sentences

“Kids and preteens,” a recent National Research Group report concluded, “have been the driving force behind many of the biggest theatrical success stories of the past three years.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Through these exchanges, Gillespie tried to set up a meeting with a preteen girl in Lebanon County, some 200 miles east of Pittsburgh.

From The Wall Street Journal

As a preteen, it was that displayed strength that first drew me to Lansbury.

From Los Angeles Times

Sidhwa would conduct a poll of dozens of American doctors, nurses and medics who said they, too, had treated preteen children who had been shot in the head.

From Los Angeles Times

When Rubio was a preteen, her maternal grandmother even pushed her to audition for “La Voz Kids,” the Spanish offshoot of “The Voice” for singers under the age of 15.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• juvenile
• minor
• teenager
• tween
• youngster
• youth