preteen

1 of 2

noun

pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn How to pronounce preteen (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Millennials and Gen Z may have kicked off the current skincare trend, but thanks to social media, Gen Alpha’s teens and preteens are increasingly interested in the same face serums and multistep routines their parents follow. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 In a GoFundMe page set up by the preteen's aunt, Eslinger's family said she was swept away by a current while in the water A search is underway for a 10-year-old girl who went missing while swimming in Florida. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
Eli Mintz, a Yiddish-theatre star, played Uncle David with a high, wheedling voice, his hands a blur of gesticulation, and the Goldberg children were portrayed by Gentile actors, including the endearing Arlene (Fuzzy) McQuade as the preteen Rosalie, a studious girl with a sleek bob. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 The Disney+ original movie Out of My Mind, based on the novel of the same name by Sharon M. Draper, follows preteen Melody Brooks (Phoebe-Rae Taylor), a girl with cerebral palsy. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for preteen

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1938, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preteen was in 1929

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preteen. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

preteen

1 of 2 noun
pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn How to pronounce preteen (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on preteen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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