young adult
adjective
: of, relating to, or being a category of fiction that is primarily intended for adolescent readers
young adult fiction/literature
We live in an era of blockbuster young adult book series: Harry Potter, Twilight, now the Hunger Games.—
Leah Wilson
Leah WilsonEarly in her four-year career as the young adult librarian of the Huckaby Public Library, Veronica Garde observed that most of the staff had a sliding scale of courtesy toward library users, teenagers being given the shortest shrift.—A. J. Anderson
—abbreviation YA
A. J. AndersonExamples of young adult in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The film explores Kahlo’s rise as an artist in Mexico City and the impact disability and chronic pain from an accident as a young adult had on her life and work.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
The Orange County Health Care Agency on Wednesday confirmed a measles case in a young adult who recently travelled internationally.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Kara Smith, Michael McDonald and Jen Chambers will act as interim chiefs across drama, comedy, and young adult programming while Friedlander finds a new head of drama & comedy series.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
When a child or young adult shows signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm or suicidal ideation, indecision and adult conflict can deepen the harm.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for young adult
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Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
The Orange County Health Care Agency on Wednesday confirmed a measles case in a young adult who recently travelled internationally.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Kara Smith, Michael McDonald and Jen Chambers will act as interim chiefs across drama, comedy, and young adult programming while Friedlander finds a new head of drama & comedy series.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
When a child or young adult shows signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm or suicidal ideation, indecision and adult conflict can deepen the harm.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for young adult
Cite this Entry
“Young adult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/young%20adult. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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