noun
youth
yooth
noun
1
The period of life between childhood and adulthood.
"He spent his youth travelling around Europe."
"She was a talented dancer in her youth."
2
A young person, especially a teenager.
"A group of youths were hanging around outside the shop."
3
Young people considered as a group.
"The campaign is aimed at engaging the youth of today."
How to Use Youth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe early years of a person's life, or young people as a group.
When to use it
Calling an individual "a youth" (rather than "a young man/woman") is common in news reporting and can sound slightly formal or, in some contexts, judgmental.
Common pairings
in his youth
youth culture
local youths
Word Forms
youths plural
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He spent his _____ travelling around Europe.
Etymology
From Old English ġeoguþ, formed from the same root as young plus an abstract noun ending, so it originally just meant "the state of being young."
Rhymes for youth
south
mouth
uncouth
vermouth
badmouth
Plymouth
Falmouth
bigmouth
loudmouth
Dartmouth
Portsmouth
Bournemouth
See all rhymes for youth →