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
In addition to The Inheritance Games series, Barnes is the author of more than 20 young adult novels.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
The Sisters Grimm, based on a bestselling series of young adult novels of the same name written by Michael Buckley, premieres on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
Based on Lois Lowry's seminal young adult novel, The Giver crafts a world where emotion has been eliminated and all babies are genetically engineered.
—Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Four generations now share the space — Ross’ toddler, her young adult daughter, her mother in her 70s, Ross, and Pops.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for young adult
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Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
The Sisters Grimm, based on a bestselling series of young adult novels of the same name written by Michael Buckley, premieres on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
Based on Lois Lowry's seminal young adult novel, The Giver crafts a world where emotion has been eliminated and all babies are genetically engineered.
—Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Four generations now share the space — Ross’ toddler, her young adult daughter, her mother in her 70s, Ross, and Pops.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
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 17 Oct. 2025.
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