juvenile
JOO-vuh-nyl
Juvenile (adj) means Young or not yet fully grown; relating to young people. Example: “A juvenile eagle often looks quite different from its parents.”
adj
1
Young or not yet fully grown; relating to young people.
"A juvenile eagle often looks quite different from its parents."
"Juvenile birds usually stay in the nest until their feathers are fully grown."
"The zoo has a program to protect juvenile sea turtles."
2
Childish or immature in behaviour, especially for someone's age.
"It was juvenile of him to sulk because he lost the board game."
"Stop making juvenile faces at the waiter; you are thirty years old."
"His juvenile jokes got old fast."
noun
1
A young person, especially a minor under the age of legal adulthood.
"The youth centre offers evening clubs for local juveniles who need somewhere to go."
"Shops cannot sell some products to a juvenile without a parent's permission."
"The court has separate procedures for juveniles."
How to use juvenile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to young people or youthfulness, or, negatively, behaviour that's childish.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
juvenile delinquent
juvenile court
juvenile behaviour
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Word forms
- Plural
- juveniles
- Comparative
- more juvenile
- Superlative
- most juvenile
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A _____ eagle often looks quite different from its parents.
Etymology
From Latin iuvenilis, "youthful," from iuvenis, "young person" — the same root behind junior.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for juvenile
See all rhymes for juvenile →Frequently asked questions
What does “juvenile” mean?
The word “juvenile” means young or not yet fully grown; relating to young people. In plain terms, relating to young people or youthfulness, or, negatively, behaviour that's childish.
How do you pronounce “juvenile”?
“Juvenile” is pronounced JOO-vuh-nyl (/ˈd͡ʒuːvənaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “juvenile” in a sentence?
Here is “juvenile” used in a sentence: “The zoo has a program to protect juvenile sea turtles.”
What is the opposite of “juvenile”?
The opposite of “juvenile” — its antonyms — are adult, mature, nonjuvenile, old and senile.
What part of speech is “juvenile”?
Depending on how it is used, “juvenile” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “juvenile” come from?
The word “juvenile” comes from Latin. From Latin iuvenilis, "youthful," from iuvenis, "young person" — the same root behind junior.
Is “juvenile” a common word?
“Juvenile” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “juvenile” have?
“Juvenile” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: young or not yet fully grown; relating to young people.
What is the difference between "juvenile" and "adolescent"?
"Juvenile" broadly means young or not fully grown and, in law, refers to a minor under the age of adulthood. "Adolescent" refers more specifically to someone in the teenage years between childhood and adulthood. All adolescents are juveniles, but "juvenile" can cover a wider range of young ages.
What is the difference between "juvenile" and "childish"?
Both describe immature behaviour, but "childish" directly likens someone to a child, while "juvenile" describes behaviour as silly or immature for a person's age. Both are usually meant as criticism when applied to an adult, though "juvenile" often sounds more disapproving in formal or serious contexts.
What is the difference between a "juvenile" and a "minor" in legal terms?
Both refer to a young person below the age of legal adulthood. "Minor" is the general legal status of someone under the age of majority, while "juvenile" is often used within the justice system, as in "juvenile offender" or "juvenile court." The exact ages involved depend on the jurisdiction.
Is "juvenile" a positive or negative word?
It depends on the sense. When it simply means young or not yet fully grown, for example a juvenile bird, it is neutral and descriptive. When it describes a person's behaviour as childish or immature for their age, it is negative and critical.
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