teens
C1Informal, formal, and journalistic. Common in all but the most technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The period of life between the ages of 13 and 19; the teenage years.
Also refers to the numbers 13 through 19 collectively, or the specific years of a century (e.g., the 1910s). A demographic grouping of people aged 13–19.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a plural noun, often used with the definite article ('the teens'). Can refer to the period ('in her teens'), the people ('teens today'), or a range ('temperatures in the teens').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Teenager(s)' is perhaps slightly more formal and equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though specific collocations (e.g., 'teen angst') carry the same cultural weight.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the + teensin + possessive + teensteens + verb (plural)teens + preposition (of, in)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sweet sixteen (and never been kissed)”
- “teen dream”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in market research and product targeting, e.g., 'This app is designed for teens.'
Academic
Used in developmental psychology, sociology, and demographic studies, e.g., 'Cognitive development in the teens.'
Everyday
Common in family and social discussions, e.g., 'My son is in his teens.'
Technical
Used in medical/health contexts (paediatrics transitioning to adult care) and demographic data segmentation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has two children in their teens.
- He is fifteen. He is in his teens.
- I started learning the guitar in my early teens.
- Many teens enjoy spending time online with friends.
- The study focused on the social media habits of British teens.
- During his teens, he lived in three different countries.
- The novel offers a poignant exploration of the anxieties that characterise the late teens.
- Policies aimed at engaging disaffected teens require a multi-agency approach.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the numbers THIRTEEN to NINEteen: they all end with '-TEEN', marking the 'TEENS'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE TEENS ARE A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD / A BRIDGE (between childhood and adulthood).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'тины'. Use 'подростки' (teenagers) or 'возраст с 13 до 19' (the age from 13 to 19). Do not confuse with 'teen' as a number suffix, which has no direct Russian equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'teen' as a singular countable noun for a person (incorrect: 'He is a teen.'). Prefer 'teenager'. Using a singular verb with 'teens' (incorrect: 'Teens is a difficult time.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common and natural use of 'teens'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is understood but informal and less common than 'a teenager'. In edited writing and formal contexts, 'teenager' is preferred.
Yes. It can refer to any set numbered 13–19, most commonly temperatures (degrees), or the years of a century (the 2010s are the 'twenty-teens').
They are largely synonymous for the age group. 'Teens' emphasises the age period itself, while 'teenagers' emphasises the people. 'Teenagers' is the safer, more standard choice for the people.
It is a one-syllable word: /tiːnz/. It rhymes with 'beans', 'means', and 'scenes'.
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