juvenile

¹ju·ve·nile

adj \ˈjü-və-ˌnī(-ə)l, -n^əl\

Definition of JUVENILE

1

a : physiologically immature or undeveloped : young b : derived from sources within the earth and coming to the surface for the first time —used especially of water and gas

2

: of, relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for children or young people <juvenile books>

3

: reflecting psychological or intellectual immaturity : childish

Examples of JUVENILE

1. She criticized his juvenile behavior at the party.
2. <a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg>

Origin of JUVENILE

French or Latin; French juvénile, from Latin juvenilis, from juvenis young person — more at young

First Known Use: 1625

Related to JUVENILE

Synonyms: adolescent, immature, young, youngish, youthful

Antonyms: adult, grown-up, mature, matured

Related Words: ephebic, minor, preteen, subadult, teenage (or teenaged), underage; embryonic, emergent; callow, green, inexperienced, puerile, raw; babyish, childish, childlike, infantile, infantine, kiddish; undeveloped, unfinished, unfledged, unformed, unripe, unripened; blooming, blossoming, burgeoning, flourishing, flowering

Near Antonyms: aged, aging (or ageing), ancient, elderly, geriatric, long-lived, old, older, oldish, senescent, senior; full-blown, full-fledged; golden, mellow, ripe, ripened; middle-aged; anile, decrepit, doddering, over-the-hill, senile, spavined, tottery

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