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

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

In 2021, he was accused of molesting two preteen brothers during the early 1970s while serving as choir director at Precious Blood Catholic Church in the Near West Side. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 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