second youngest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second youngest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the age ranking of individuals within a group, specifically indicating that someone is the second in line from the youngest. Example: "Out of all the siblings, Sarah is the second youngest, following her little brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

(He was the second youngest).

The New York Times - Sports

I'm the second youngest of the seven.

Independent

He could yet become the second youngest winner.

The Guardian - Sport

She was the second youngest of five children.

The New Yorker

The Australian side was the second youngest at the tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

He has been an MP since 2008 and  becomes Canada's second youngest prime minister ever.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

I'M the second-youngest of six brothers.

The New York Times

Julie Smolyansky, 32, is the lone female and second-youngest on the list.

Forbes

She was the second-youngest of seven children, and many of her family members lived nearby.

Huffington Post

He is Y Combinator"s second-youngest partner, not the youngest.

The New York Times

What happens when the youngest in the F.B.S. meets the second-youngest?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing family members or team members, use "second youngest" to clearly specify the age order within the group.

Common error

Avoid using "second youngest" when you only have two individuals; instead, use "younger". "Second youngest" implies there are at least three individuals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second youngest" functions as a descriptive adjective that modifies a noun by specifying the age rank. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing family members, athletes, and even states in terms of relative youth. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second youngest" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an individual or entity's age rank within a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English. It is frequently used in news, encyclopedias and wiki sources. When writing, make sure that it is correct to use it. Always avoid using it when talking about a group of 2 individuals. Alternatives like "next youngest" or "penultimate youngest" can be used to add variety to your writing. Understanding its proper usage and context ensures clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next youngest

Focuses on sequence rather than explicit ranking by age.

penultimate youngest

Uses a more formal term to indicate the second from last position in terms of age.

second from the bottom in age

Describes the age ranking using a more descriptive and less direct approach.

second to last youngest

Explicitly states the position as second to last in the age order.

not the very youngest

Emphasizes that the individual is younger than most, without pinpointing the exact rank.

one of the youngest two

Indicates membership within the two youngest individuals, without specifying exact position.

almost the youngest

Highlights the close proximity to being the youngest, implying a very young age.

junior to all but one

States that the person is younger than everyone except one individual.

older than the baby of the group

Specifies that the person is older than the youngest (baby) within the group.

the younger of the older ones

Implies the person is on the younger side when considering a subset of older individuals.

FAQs

How do I use "second youngest" in a sentence?

Use "second youngest" to indicate someone is the second in line from the youngest in a group. For example, "She is the "second youngest" of five siblings".

What is a good alternative to "second youngest"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "next youngest" or "penultimate youngest" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "2nd youngest" instead of "second youngest"?

Yes, "2nd youngest" is an acceptable abbreviated form of "second youngest", especially in informal writing or when space is limited.

What's the difference between "youngest" and "second youngest"?

"Youngest" refers to the individual with the least age in a group. "Second youngest" refers to the individual who is the second in line from the youngest, implying there are at least three individuals in the group.