DictionaryAI

young

YUNG/jʌŋ/

Adjectiveyounger, youngest

Noun pluralyoung, youngs

11 meanings of young

Practice

  1. 1
    early in lifeadjective
    Not old. Born or started not long ago.

    Like a tiny seedling that has just pushed up out of the soil.

    The young puppy could barely walk across the yard.

    They adopted a young kitten from the shelter last spring.

    UsageSay younger than me, the youngest.

    Similaryouthful, little, juvenile

    Oppositeold, mature, elderly, aged

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Belonging to the early years of a person's life.

    In her young days, she loved dancing all night.

    His young years were spent traveling across the country.

    UsageSay young love or in my young days.

    Similaryouthful, juvenile, early

    Oppositemature

  3. 3
    adjective
    Looking or acting like a young person, even at an older age.

    Like an old tree that still grows fresh green leaves each spring.

    At seventy, she still had a remarkably young face.

    He kept a young outlook long after his hair turned gray.

    UsageSay young for her age or young at heart.

    Similaryouthful, fresh, vigorous

    Oppositeold, aged

    Note
  4. 4
    noun
    The babies of an animal, especially ones that are still small.

    Like the baby chicks all crowded together in one nest.

    The mother bird fed her young throughout the day.

    Many reptiles leave their young to fend for themselves.

    UsageSay a bird feeds its young.

    Similaroffspring, babies, brood, progeny

    Note
  5. 5
    noun
    Children and other people early in life, thought of as one group, used after the word the.

    The new park gives the young a safe place to play sports after school.

    Loud music festivals are popular with the young.

    UsageSay the young are (not incorrect: the youngs).

    Similaryouth

    Oppositeold, elderly

    Note
  6. 6
    adjective
    Being the younger of two family members who share the same name.

    Everyone calls him young Tom, since his dad is Tom too.

    Neighbors called him young Whitfield to tell him from his grandfather.

    UsageSay young Tom when father and son share a name.

    Similarjunior

    Oppositesenior, elder

    Note

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from Old English "ġeong," going all the way back to very old Germanic and Indo-European root words meaning "young."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts