noun
Common
youngest
YUHNG-gihst
Youngest (noun) means the least old member of a family or group. Example: “The youngest of the four cousins is still too small to ride the bike.”
noun
1
The least old member of a family or group.
"The youngest of the four cousins is still too small to ride the bike."
"As the youngest, she always got hand-me-down clothes."
"He's the youngest in his class by almost a year."
How to use youngest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe least old person in a group, usually a family.
Common pairings
the youngest child
youngest of three
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Word forms
- Plural
- youngests
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The _____ of the four cousins is still too small to ride the bike.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “youngest” mean?
The word “youngest” means the least old member of a family or group. In plain terms, the least old person in a group, usually a family.
How do you pronounce “youngest”?
“Youngest” is pronounced YUHNG-gihst (/ˈjʌŋ.ɡɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “youngest” in a sentence?
Here is “youngest” used in a sentence: “As the youngest, she always got hand-me-down clothes.”
What part of speech is “youngest”?
“Youngest” is a noun.
Is “youngest” a common word?
“Youngest” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is it correct to say "the youngest of the two"?
Traditional grammar prefers the comparative when only two are compared — "the younger of the two" — and reserves youngest for groups of three or more. "Youngest of the two" is common in speech, but "younger of the two" is the safer choice in careful writing.
Can youngest stand alone without a noun after it?
Yes. With "the" or a possessive, youngest works as a noun meaning the least old member of a family or group: "Their youngest has just started school." This standalone use is standard, especially when talking about children in a family.
Is "most youngest" ever correct?
No. Youngest is already the superlative form of young, so adding "most" creates a double superlative. Say "the youngest child," never "the most youngest child."
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