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

As a preteen, Tim started training with an elite New York-area club team. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Schwam also watched the show as a preteen, often turning it on during slumber parties or in hotel rooms when her mom stepped out. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Adjective

Their preteen daughter, Suri, played in the front seat of the truck. — Kit Warchol, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

There’s no greater satisfaction than buying the garment or accessory coveted in preteen years spent poring over magazines. — Selene Oliva, Vogue, 26 Mar. 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