youth

noun

ˈyüth 

plural youths ˈyüt͟hz  ˈyüths 

often attributive

1

a

: the time of life when one is young

especially : the period between childhood and maturity

b

: the early period of existence, growth, or development

2

a

: a young person

especially : a young male between adolescence and maturity

b

: young persons or creatures

—usually plural in construction

3

: the quality or state of being youthful : youthfulness

Synonyms of youth

• boy
• teenager
• kid
• adolescent

Examples of youth in a Sentence

She had a troubled youth.

He spent his youth in the Midwest.

He got into a lot of trouble in his youth.

a generation trying to recapture lost youth

when the industry was still in its youth

Four youths are suspected of starting the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Gatorade, Emerson volunteered at The North Texas Food Bank and Mission Arlington, led youth baseball training sessions and delivered home care services during the holiday season while maintaining an A average in the classroom. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Ocean Way Festival will host a series of free events in the lead up to the festival including concerts, youth water-sports programming, student leadership activities, beach cleanups, and more. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026

The former youth pastor suspected of pushing his wife off a Utah cliff died by suicide in a very unusual way, said the sheriff who oversees Las Vegas’ jails. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

The alliance specifically targets youth, independent entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to scale up. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English youthe, from Old English geoguth; akin to Old English geong young — more at young

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing youth

• fountain of youth
• in the flower of one's youth
• misspent youth
• the youth
• youth club
• youth hostel
• youth rally

Rhymes for youth

• bluetooth
• forsooth
• sawtooth
• tolbooth
• uncouth
• untruth
• vermouth
• luth
• muth
• sleuth
• tooth

Kids Definition

youth

noun

ˈyüth 

plural youths ˈyüt͟hz  ˈyüths 

1

: the time of life when one is young

especially : the period between childhood and adulthood

2

a

: a young man

b

: young people

the youth of today

—usually used with a plural verb

3

: the quality or state of being young