Teenage: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is best used when referring to someone in the age range of 13 to 19 years. It is commonly used in casual or general contexts to talk about experience, behavior, or culture specific to that age group.

• She is a teenage girl who loves pop music.
• Teenage years are often challenging for many families.

This term is often used in medical, psychological, or formal contexts to describe someone who is in their teenage years, focusing on the developmental stage between childhood and adulthood.

• Adolescent health is a growing field of medical research.
• Adolescent behavior can be unpredictable due to hormonal changes.

This word is used to describe someone or something that has the characteristics, energy, or appearance of youth. It can be used to describe both actual young people and adults who have a lively or vibrant demeanor.

• Her youthful spirit makes her very popular among her peers.
• He has a youthful glow despite his age.

This word usually carries a legal or formal tone and is used to describe young people, often focusing on those who are involved in legal issues or in contexts dealing with youth behavior. It may have a slightly negative connotation when referring to delinquency.

• He was sent to a juvenile detention center for his actions.
• The juvenile court system deals with offenders under the age of 18.