juvenile

¹ju·ve·nile

adjective \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

²juvenile

noun

Definition of JUVENILE

1

a : a young person : youth

b : a book for children or young people

2

: a young individual resembling an adult of its kind except in size and reproductive activity: as

a : a fledged bird not yet in adult plumage

b : a 2-year-old racehorse

3

: an actor or actress who plays youthful parts

Examples of JUVENILE

1. She works to keep juveniles away from drugs.
2. <a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood>

First Known Use of JUVENILE

1733

Related to JUVENILE

Synonyms

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, child, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms

adult, grown-up

Related Words

adolescent, minor; kindergartner (also kindergartener), preschooler, rug rat [slang], schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid; babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike), weanling; brat, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper; cherub; preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween; lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad; bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms

middle-ager; ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Rhymes with JUVENILE

Anglophile, country mile, cyclostyle, domicile, family style, Francophile, Gallophile, hypostyle, in denial, projectile, rat-tail file, rank and file, single file, statute mile