juvenile

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “juvenile” is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something related to young people or childhood. For example, you can use it in a sentence like, “The juvenile record of the suspect was taken into account during the trial.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Iran's judicial authorities have previously denied accusations of juvenile executions, but according to HRW, the country has executed at least 10 juvenile offenders since 2009.

The Guardian

One recent study revealed that cutting numbers of jailed juvenile offenders by two-thirds had coincided with a cut in youth crime rates of one-third – dramatic figures, especially when combined with less recidivism and lower spending since rehabilitation costs much less than locking people up.

The Guardian - Opinion

The film, called Daybreak Dreams, is the third instalment of a trilogy about children held in an Iranian juvenile rehabilitation centre.

The Guardian - Tech

As the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography points out, "however juvenile and ungrammatical" this sounds, it "none the less expressed the philosophy that governed the rest of his life".

The Guardian - Film

This scene combines two of conservative middle America's favourite bêtes noires - nudity and kids on skateboards – for a masterclass in low-level juvenile delinquency from Bart Simpson.

The Guardian - Film

She spent long vigils lying, mud-splattered in the marshes, lens poking from vegetation, in pursuit of elusive water rails, bearded tits and a juvenile bittern, and her pictures proved the latter species was not extinct in Britain after all.

The Guardian

At dusk on 10 September last year, a few weeks after the juvenile birds had successfully left their nest, the 9.5g tag on Sky's leg abruptly stopped transmitting.

The Guardian

The harrier-lovers' conviction that grouse estates were behind their disappearance had been hardened by a case in 2011, when Murphy had fitted a tag to a juvenile hen harrier, Bowland Betty.

The Guardian

The dispute appears to arise from Iran's own definition of a juvenile.

The Guardian

Now the government that promised to put the adults back in charge is looking rather juvenile.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nearly two-thirds of Georgia's juvenile-justice department's annual $300m budget goes to running residential facilities, which cost $91,126 per bed per year for long-term facilities and $88,155 for short-term.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to legal contexts, ensure you are using “juvenile” to accurately describe individuals under the legal age of majority. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using “juvenile” when you mean “childish.” “Juvenile” refers to legal or developmental youth, while “childish” describes immature behavior regardless of age. Using them interchangeably can dilute your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "juvenile" functions primarily as an adjective describing something related to young persons or childhood. It also serves as a noun, denoting a young person, particularly in legal contexts. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "juvenile" is frequently used both as an adjective and a noun, primarily to describe aspects related to youth or legal minority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears most often in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "juvenile", it's important to differentiate its meaning from similar words like "childish", which describes behavior, rather than a legal or developmental stage. Be mindful of this distinction to ensure clarity in writing and speaking. Related terms include "youthful" and "adolescent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor

Highlights the legal status of being under the age of majority.

underage

Specifically denotes being below a legally specified age.

adolescent

Specifically refers to the stage of development between childhood and adulthood.

youthful

Focuses on the quality of being young or appearing young.

young

A general term indicating a lack of age.

undeveloped

Focuses on the state of not being fully grown or mature.

immature

Emphasizes a lack of emotional or intellectual development.

childish

Implies behavior that is inappropriate for one's age.

puerile

Suggests silliness and lack of seriousness, often in a derogatory way.

jejune

Highlights a lack of experience or sophistication.

FAQs

How is "juvenile" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "juvenile" refers to individuals who are under the age of majority, typically 18, and are subject to specific laws and legal proceedings designed for young offenders. For example, a "juvenile offender" is a young person who has committed a crime.

What are some synonyms for "juvenile" in describing immature behavior?

When describing immature behavior, you can use terms such as "childish", "immature", or "puerile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "juvenile" to describe adults?

While "juvenile" primarily refers to youth or those under a certain age, it can be used metaphorically to describe adults exhibiting immature or "childish behavior". However, this usage should be approached carefully as it can be seen as derogatory.

What is the difference between "juvenile" and "youthful"?

"Juvenile" typically refers to being young in age or legally underage, often in a neutral or legal context. "Youthful", on the other hand, emphasizes the positive qualities associated with youth, such as vigor or freshness, and is less tied to age-related restrictions. It is close to "youthful".