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

Early 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

Examples of young adult in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a young adult, Paul worked at a lumber yard and had fantasies of working a straight job as an accountant. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 2026

It’s been a big year for the Spanish royal family, especially Princess Leonor, who has balanced her duties as heir to the throne with fun, young adult activities. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026

Over nearly two decades, those additional contributions—not the initial government deposit—will largely determine whether a young adult reaches adulthood with a few thousand dollars or tens of thousands. — Darrick Hamilton, Fortune, 16 July 2026

This clothing brand for young adult women has been located next to Princess Polly near Macy’s Fashion since April. — Alexandra Phelps july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above