preteen

1 of 2

noun

pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn How to pronounce preteen (audio)
-ˌtēn
Synonyms of preteennext
: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

preteen

2 of 2

adjective

1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13

Examples of preteen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Additionally, a 2019 study saw an association between exposure to certain phthalates prenatally and during early childhood and decreased motor scores in preteens, although more studies are needed to confirm that phthalates contributed to it. — Tracy Middleton, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026 In July, the Texas Observer used law enforcement records to document thousands of arrests and criminal citations involving preteens in about 200 of Texas’ 1,200 school districts over a four-year period. — Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Some ads featured photos of real kids, including a press photo of a young member of a European royal family and images swiped from a popular Instagram profile of a preteen girl deemed an influencer. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026 Magnetic and unforgettable, preteen Baquero’s performance anchored a major awards-season breakthrough for del Toro. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for preteen

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1938, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preteen was in 1929

Rhymes for preteen

See All Rhymes for preteen

Browse Nearby Words

pretechnological
preteen
preteenager
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preteen. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

preteen

1 of 2 noun
pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn How to pronounce preteen (audio)
: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

preteen

2 of 2 adjective
1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13 years old

More from Merriam-Webster on preteen

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