Meaning of juvenile in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈdʒuvəˌnaɪl/

   US accent

   How to pronounce juvenile in American English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

   UK accent

   How to pronounce juvenile in British English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

1. Classifying Adjective

   juvenile

   Definitions

   1. displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity

   Examples

   • « adolescent insecurity »
   • « jejune responses to our problems »
   • « their behavior was juvenile »
   • « puerile jokes »

   Synonyms

   • immature

2. Noun

   juvenile

   Definitions

   1. a youthful person

   Antonyms

   • adult
   • grownup

3. Qualitative Adjective

   juvenile

   Etymology

   early 17th century: from Latin juvenilis, from juvenis‘young, a young person’

   Definitions

   1. of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people

   Examples

   • « juvenile diabetes »
   • « juvenile fashions »