preteen

1 of 2

noun

pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn 

-ˌtēn

: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

preteen

2 of 2

adjective

1

: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group

preteen fashions

2

: being younger than 13

Examples of preteen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Beginning Middle End starts with its nameless, newly single narrator, a Mexican writer living in New York, embarking on a monthslong European trip with her preteen daughter. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

The Salt River Police Department, Mesa Police Department and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office then began searching for the preteen. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Adjective

Magnetic and unforgettable, preteen Baquero’s performance anchored a major awards-season breakthrough for del Toro. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026

When North was first spotted with a dermal piercing on her hand in September 2025, fans were quick to call out Kardashian for allowing her preteen daughter to undergo body modifications. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1938, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preteen

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine

Kids Definition

preteen

1 of 2 noun

pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn 

: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

preteen

2 of 2 adjective

1

: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group

preteen fashions

2

: being younger than 13 years old