juvenile meaning

UK /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/ US /ˈdʒuvənəl/ 3 syllables

juvenile (adjective): of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people.

juvenile has 3 meanings in this dictionary, as adjective and noun.

juvenile as an adjective

  1. of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people
    • juvenile diabetes
    • juvenile fashions

    Related forms: juvenility, youth

  2. displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
    • adolescent insecurity
    • jejune responses to our problems
    • their behavior was juvenile
    • puerile jokes

    Synonyms: adolescent, jejune, puerile

    Similar: immature

    Related forms: juvenility

juvenile as a noun

  1. a young person, not fully developed

    Synonyms: juvenile person

    Opposite: adult

    Type of: person

    Kinds: preteen, adolescent, child, ingenue, young person

How to pronounce juvenile

juvenile is pronounced /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/ in British English and /ˈdʒuvənəl/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Word lists: words starting with JU · words ending in LE · 8-letter words

More about juvenile on Wikipedia.