# preteen

Pronunciation: say "PREE-teen" US /ˈpɹiˌtin/, UK /ˈpɹiːˌtiːn/

## Noun

1. A child of roughly ten to twelve years old, on the threshold of adolescence.
   - Simple: A child who is about 10 to 12 years old, just before the teenage years.
   - _The store added a clothing line aimed squarely at preteens._
   - _As a preteen, she devoured every book in the school library._

## Adjective

2. Belonging to, designed for, or relating to children between approximately ten and twelve years of age.
   - Simple: Made for or having to do with children who are about 10 to 12 years old.
   - _The brand launched a preteen clothing line last spring._
   - _Preteen sleepover parties often revolve around movies and snacks._

## Origin

Formed from the prefix 'pre-' (before) combined with 'teen'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/preteen (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).