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- Dictionaryju·ve·nile/ˈjo͞ovəˌnīl/
adjective
- 1. of, for, or relating to young people: "juvenile crime" Similar Opposite
noun
- 1. a young person.
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1. : physiologically immature or undeveloped : young. juvenile birds. 2. a. : of, relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for children or young people. juvenile fiction. b. : of or relating to young people who have committed or are accused of committing a criminal offense. the juvenile justice system. juvenile crime. 3.
relating to a young person who is not yet old enough to be considered an adult: juvenile crime / offenders. He was later taken to juvenile detention for violating the terms of his parole. Compare. adult adjective. medical specialized. affecting children rather than adults: The following year, he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable or intended for young persons: juvenile books. young; youthful: juvenile years. immature; childish; infantile: His juvenile tantrums are not in keeping with his age. noun. a young person; youth. Theater. a youthful male or female role. an actor or actress who plays such parts. a book for children.
A juvenile is a child or young person who is not yet old enough to be regarded as an adult. [formal] The number of juveniles in the general population has fallen by a fifth in the past 10 years. Synonyms: child, youth, minor, girl More Synonyms of juvenile. 2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
ju·ve·nile. (jo͞o′və-nīl′, -nəl) adj. 1. a. Not fully grown or developed; young. b. Of or characteristic of a young animal that has not reached sexual maturity: a bird still in juvenile plumage. 2. Characteristic of, intended for, or appropriate for children or young people: juvenile fashions. 3. Marked by immaturity; childish: juvenile behavior.
While the noun juvenile refers to someone not physically or emotionally mature, the word is often used as an adjective to refer to anything specifically for young people, such as juvenile reading materials or movies. It can be derisive, as in "Don't act so juvenile ," suggesting a silliness unbecoming an adult.
adjective. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable or intended for young persons: juvenile books. young; youthful: juvenile years. immature; childish; infantile: His juvenile tantrums are not in keeping with his age. noun. a young person; youth. Theater. a youthful male or female role. an actor or actress who plays such parts.
