youth

¹

[yooth]

noun

plural

youths ,

plural

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 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. Spanish name: Isla de la Juventud. Former name: Isle of Pines. 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)

Other Word Forms

• youthless 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

He was an Eagle Scout in his youth and then a scoutmaster.

From Los Angeles Times

They have made some shrewd signings in the transfer window with England youth international Lucia Kendall among a group of talented youngsters.

From BBC

LB: I was in the youth age groups, but I was never the star player, or the one that was picked out.

From BBC

Many ordinary Indonesians criticize the government for primarily serving the interests of the wealthy elite even as youth unemployment soars and wages stagnate.

From Los Angeles Times

The year is 1971 and Easy, now 50, is beset by memories of his hardscrabble Southern youth and first loves before he enlisted to serve in World War II in Europe and Africa.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• minority 
• teens