Definition of juvenile
1 : physiologically immature or undeveloped : young juvenile birds
2a : of, relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for children or young people juvenile fictionb : of or relating to young people who have committed or are accused of committing a criminal offense the juvenile justice system juvenile crime
3 : reflecting psychological or intellectual immaturity : childish juvenile behavior juvenile pranks told him he was being juvenile
4 : derived from sources within the earth and coming to the surface for the first time —used especially of water and gas
From the M-W Editors
Examples of juvenile in a Sentence
She criticized his juvenile behavior at the party.
a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg
Origin and Etymology of juvenile
French or Latin; French juvénile, from Latin juvenilis, from juvenis young person — more at young
juvenile
Definition of juvenile
1a : a young person : youth a gang of juvenilesb : a book for children or young people
2 : a young individual resembling an adult of its kind except in size and reproductive activity: such asa : a fledged bird not yet in adult plumageb : a 2-year-old racehorse
3 : an actor or actress who plays youthful parts
Examples of juvenile in a Sentence
She works to keep juveniles away from drugs.
a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood
Origin and Etymology of juvenile
see 1juvenile
JUVENILE Defined for English Language Learners
juvenile
playDefinition of juvenile for English Language Learners
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: unpleasantly childish
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: relating to or meant for young people
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: of or relating to young people who have committed crimes
juvenile
Definition of juvenile for English Language Learners
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: a young person : a person who is not yet old enough to be legally considered an adult
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: a young bird or animal
JUVENILE Defined for Kids
Definition of juvenile for Students
1 : not fully grown or developed a juvenile bird
2 : of or designed for young people a juvenile magazine
3 : having or showing a lack of emotional maturity juvenile pranks
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of juvenile
1: physiologically immature or undeveloped juvenile fish
2: of, relating to, characteristic of, or affecting children or young people juvenile arthritis
3: reflecting psychological or intellectual immaturity juvenile behavior
juvenile
Medical Definition of juvenile
1: a young person; especially : one below the legally established age (as of 18) of adulthood
2: a young individual resembling an adult of its kind except in size and reproductive activity
Law Dictionary
juvenile
Legal Definition of juvenile
: an individual who is under an age fixed by law (as 18 years) at which he or she would be charged as an adult for a criminal act — compare minor
Learn More about juvenile
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for juvenile Spanish Central: Translation of juvenile Nglish: Translation of juvenile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of juvenile for Arabic speakers
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