stripling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low / Literary / ArchaicLiterary, formal, archaic, humorous. Rarely used in contemporary everyday speech except for stylistic or humorous effect.
Quick answer
What does “stripling” mean?
A young man who is not yet fully grown or mature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A young man who is not yet fully grown or mature; a youth, especially one who is tall and slender.
A youth on the verge of manhood, often implying inexperience, youthful vigor, or a stage of development where physical growth may outpace emotional maturity. Historically used to refer to a youth training for knighthood or military service.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and literary in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or period literature.
Connotations
In both varieties, evokes a bygone era. In American usage, might be used self-consciously for a rustic or old-fashioned feel.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for both. Found primarily in classic literature, historical fiction, and deliberate archaisms.
Grammar
How to Use “stripling” in a Sentence
[adjective] striplingstripling of [age/number]stripling from [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stripling” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The young stripling from the village surprised everyone with his skill at archery.
- He was but a stripling when he first went to sea, all arms and legs.
American English
- The gangly stripling helped his pa with the harvest, though he lacked a man's strength.
- In those days, a stripling of seventeen might already be leading a wagon train.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or historical studies discussing representations of youth.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used jokingly to refer to a tall, lanky teenager.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stripling”
- Using it to refer to a young child (it implies adolescence/early manhood).
- Using it in modern, casual contexts where it sounds jarringly archaic.
- Confusing it with 'stripping'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered literary, formal, and somewhat archaic. It is rarely used in everyday modern English.
Almost exclusively no. It is a gendered term historically referring to a young male. The female equivalents would be 'maiden' or 'lass' (though these are also dated).
'Stripling' is more specific, suggesting a tall, slender youth and carrying a literary/archaic tone. 'Teenager' is a neutral, modern term for anyone aged 13-19.
Not inherently negative. It can be neutral, slightly affectionate, or mildly patronizing, implying youth and inexperience. The context determines the tone.
A young man who is not yet fully grown or mature.
Stripling is usually literary, formal, archaic, humorous. rarely used in contemporary everyday speech except for stylistic or humorous effect. in register.
Stripling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In his stripling days”
- “A stripling of sixteen”
- “More brawn than a stripling”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a young tree, a 'strip' of a thing, still 'ling'-ering in its youth before becoming full-grown.
Conceptual Metaphor
YOUTH IS AN UNFINISHED/GROWING OBJECT (like a sapling).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'stripling' be LEAST appropriate?