youth

noun

ˈyüth How to pronounce youth (audio)
plural youths ˈyüt͟hz How to pronounce youth (audio) ˈyüths How to pronounce youth (audio)
Synonyms of youthnext
often attributive
1
a
: the time of life when one is young
especially : the period between childhood and maturity
b
: the early period of existence, growth, or development
2
a
: a young person
especially : a young male between adolescence and maturity
b
: young persons or creatures
—usually plural in construction
3
: the quality or state of being youthful : youthfulness

Synonyms of youth

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Examples of youth in a Sentence

She had a troubled youth. He spent his youth in the Midwest. He got into a lot of trouble in his youth. a generation trying to recapture lost youth when the industry was still in its youth Four youths are suspected of starting the fire.
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.
As the summer has progressed, so, too, has Colorado’s youth movement. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 July 2026 His family practiced an offshoot of the Mormon faith; as a youth, Huffman served in the priesthood. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 The great challenge of reading Catcher, especially as an adult, is that Salinger doesn’t always make Holden’s youth easy to believe. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 The name has been given to residential youth facilities that have faced scrutiny for decades over allegations of abuse and neglect, according to critics. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for youth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English youthe, from Old English geoguth; akin to Old English geong young — more at young

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of youth was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing youth

Rhymes for youth

See All Rhymes for youth

Browse Nearby Words

you take it from here
youth
youth-and-old-age
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Youth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/youth. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

youth

noun
ˈyüth How to pronounce youth (audio)
plural youths ˈyüt͟hz How to pronounce youth (audio) ˈyüths How to pronounce youth (audio)
1
: the time of life when one is young
especially : the period between childhood and adulthood
2
a
: a young man
b
: young people
the youth of today
—usually used with a plural verb
3
: the quality or state of being young

More from Merriam-Webster on youth

Nglish: Translation of youth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about youth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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