underage

adjective

un·​der·​age ˌən-dər-ˈāj How to pronounce underage (audio)
1
: of less than mature or legal age
2
: done by or involving underage persons
underage drinking

Example Sentences

They were not allowed into the club because they were underage.
Recent Examples on the Web The actor denied knowing the girl was underage, according to CBS News and Yahoo. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2023 Lazzeri said investigators observed numerous Packers workers who appeared to be underage at the plants — far more than the 102 identified. Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023 Like alcohol, weed is common on campus, where many students are underage. Erica Komisar, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023 All of the suspects are underage, so their names remain sealed. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2023 Three of the women were underage at the time of the alleged crime. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2023 Most people in that camp knew that a lot of these girls were underage. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2023 Police said Paul Murdaugh was underage and had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit. Jeffrey Collins, ajc, 10 Feb. 2023 Alcohol ads can’t contain statements that are misleading, patently false or target those who are underage. Lia Nower, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underage was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near underage

Cite this Entry

“Underage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underage. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

underage

adjective
un·​der·​age ˌən-də-ˈrāj How to pronounce underage (audio)
: of less than mature or legal age

More from Merriam-Webster on underage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY