young

young

modif.

1. In the early portion of life

   puerile, boyish, girlish, adolescent, juvenile, budding, juvenescent, in one's teens, childlike, youthful, pubescent, boylike, girllike, new-fledged, blooming, burgeoning, childish, half-grown, growing, blossoming, at the breast, (babe) in arms, knee high to a grasshopper*.

   Antonyms old*, aged*, senile. *

2. Inexperienced

   callow, green, immature, tender, raw, untutored, unlearned, junior, subordinate, inferior, unfledged, ignorant, undisciplined, tenderfoot*, not dry behind the ears*, still wet behind the ears*; see also incompetent, inexperienced, naive.

   Antonyms veteran*, expert*, experienced. *

3. New

   fresh, modern, recent, newborn; see fashionable.

young is the general word for one in an early period of life and variously connotes the vigor, strength, immaturity, etc. of this period a young child, man, etc.; young blood; youthful applies to one who is, or appears to be, in the period between childhood and maturity or to that which is appropriate to such a person a youthful executive, youthful hopes; juvenile applies to that which relates to, is suited to, or is intended for young persons juvenile delinquency, behavior, books, etc.; puerile implies reference to adults who unbecomingly display the immature qualities of a child puerile petulance; adolescent applies to one in the period between puberty and maturity and especially suggests the awkwardness, emotional instability, etc. of this period adolescent yearnings