Meaning & use
juvenile
Relating to, intended for, or characteristic of young people who are not yet adults.
See it in a sentence
The library has a large juvenile section filled with books for young readers.
His juvenile behavior at the meeting surprised colleagues who expected more maturity.
A note on using this word
In legal contexts, juvenile specifically refers to someone below the age of legal adulthood, as in juvenile court.
Words with a similar meaning
youthfulchildish
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
adultmature
Another way to use it
2. noun
A young person who has not yet reached legal adulthood.
The case was transferred to a court that handles offenses committed by juveniles.
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