youth

noun

ˈyüth 

plural youths ˈyüt͟hz  ˈyüths 

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

• boy
• teenager
• kid
• adolescent

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

But while politicians trade barbs, residents in Rio de Janeiro have been designing their own responses, with ex-traffickers launching podcasts and grieving mothers stepping up to stop youth recruitment. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

The selection also stretches the fashion theme to cover youth culture and music. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026

The center includes space for ConnCAT’s job training and youth development programs, including a recording studio, computer lab, along with work spaces for its culinary, phlebotomy and bioscience programs. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Donations will go toward helping millions of children access education and support millions of smallholder farmers, women, youth and indigenous communities. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing youth

• fountain of youth
• in the flower of one's youth
• misspent youth
• the youth
• youth club
• youth hostel
• youth rally

Rhymes for youth

• bluetooth
• forsooth
• sawtooth
• tolbooth
• uncouth
• untruth
• vermouth
• luth
• muth
• sleuth
• tooth

Kids Definition

youth

noun

ˈyüth 

plural youths ˈyüt͟hz  ˈyüths 

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