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

That evolution has meant responding to changing needs on the ground, while expanding its work across education, HIV prevention, youth safety and support for LGBTQ+ youth. — Lilly Workneh, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026

The new administration ultimately promised more stability that could entice more youth to stay and work. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Some speculated that Arévalo’s aversion to escalation emanates from that experience, too, given his youth in exile and the persecution of many of his father’s supporters in the years after the 1954 coup. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

One youth has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Wednesday afternoon shooting near Raytown High School. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 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