Underage: meaning, definitions and examples

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underage

[ˌʌn.dərˈeɪdʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

legal term

Below the age at which a person is legally considered as an adult. For example, in many countries, the legal drinking age is 21, so anyone under 21 is considered underage.

Synonyms

juvenile, minor, young.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
underage	Use when referring to someone who is not legally old enough for certain rights or activities, such as drinking alcohol or voting. He was caught in a bar for underage drinking You must provide proof of age to ensure you're not underage
minor	Typically used in legal or formal contexts to describe someone who is under the legal age of adulthood. Minors are not allowed to work in hazardous jobs You need a parent or guardian to sign because you are still a minor
juvenile	Commonly used in legal contexts or to refer to young people involved in criminal activities. It can have a negative connotation. He was taken to a juvenile detention center The court handled her case as a juvenile instead of an adult
young	A general term used to describe someone who is in the early stages of life, often used in a neutral or positive manner. She is very young and full of energy Young children require more sleep than adults

Examples of usage

He was caught drinking alcohol underage.
She was not allowed to enter the club because she was underage.
Buying cigarettes is illegal for underage individuals.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general term

A person who is below the age at which they are legally considered as an adult. It can refer to anyone under a certain age limit.

Synonyms

child, minor, youth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
underage	This term is typically used in legal or official contexts to describe someone who has not yet reached the age of majority. It often implies restrictions or limitations on certain activities such as drinking, voting, or driving. He was arrested for underage drinking. The club has a strict policy against underage entry.
minor	This term is often used in legal, medical, and formal contexts to describe someone who is under the age of majority. It can also carry a hint of seriousness or importance, especially when discussing legal rights and responsibilities. As a minor, he cannot sign legal documents. The movie is restricted to viewers who are not minors.
child	This word is commonly used to refer to a young person, generally below the age of puberty. It is a broad term that can be used in everyday conversation and various informal situations. She is a bright and energetic child. The playground is designed for children.
youth	The term 'youth' is generally used to describe the period between childhood and adulthood and can refer to teenagers or young adults. It often has a positive connotation, emphasizing vitality and potential. The youth of today are very tech-savvy. He spent his youth traveling and learning new skills.

Examples of usage

The party was for adults only, so there were no underages allowed.
They have special rules for underages at the event.

Interesting Facts

Legal Aspects

Many countries set legal age limits for activities like drinking, voting, and driving to protect young people's health and safety.
In the U.S., the minimum legal drinking age is 21, meaning anyone under this age is considered underage in that context.
Different cultures can have varying definitions of what qualifies as underage, affecting legal rights and responsibilities.

Cultural Perspectives

In many cultures, reaching a specific age (like 18 or 21) is often celebrated as a rite of passage, marking the transition into adulthood.
Certain countries allow parental consent for some activities at a younger age, which can differ from national law.
Movies and media often depict underage characters experimenting with adult situations, highlighting societal attitudes towards youth and independence.

Education

In educational contexts, 'underage' may also refer to younger students who might face challenges participating in programs designated for older peers.
Adolescent development is an area of study that examines how being underage can impact decisions and behavior.
Debates around raising or lowering age limits often center around the issue of maturity and responsibility.

Health and Development

Research shows that engaging in certain adult behaviors at a young age can affect long-term health and cognitive development.
The brain continues to develop into the mid-20s, which is a key reason for age restrictions on high-risk activities.
Underage drinking, for example, has been linked to higher rates of accidents and developmental issues.

Historical Context

Changes in laws regarding the voting and drinking ages reflect societal shifts in the understanding of maturity and responsibility throughout history.
In historical contexts, marriage age often differed widely, with many younger individuals marrying due to social or economic reasons.
During the 1970s, many U.S. states lowered the voting age to 18, influenced by the military draft debates related to the Vietnam War.

Translations

Translations of the word "underage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 menor de idade

🇮🇳 नाबालिग

🇩🇪 minderjährig

🇮🇩 di bawah umur

🇺🇦 неповнолітній

🇵🇱 niepełnoletni

🇯🇵 未成年 (みせいねん)

🇫🇷 mineur

🇪🇸 menor de edad

🇹🇷 reşit olmayan

🇰🇷 미성년자

🇸🇦 قاصر

🇨🇿 nezletilý

🇸🇰 neplnoletý

🇨🇳 未成年 (wèichéngnián)

🇸🇮 mladoleten

🇮🇸 undir lögaldri

🇰🇿 кәмелетке толмаған

🇬🇪 არასრულწლოვანი

🇦🇿 yetkinlik yaşına çatmayan

🇲🇽 menor de edad

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,580, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27577 impalpable
27578 sleepily
27579 vouchsafe
27580 underage
27581 coppice
27582 cogs
27583 polyhedron
...