youngster
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A young person, especially a child or adolescent.
A person who is young or youthful in spirit or attitude, often used to emphasize inexperience or newness to a particular field.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries a slightly affectionate, familiar, or nostalgic tone. Can sometimes imply a lack of experience compared to older people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English; 'kid' is preferred in most American contexts.
Connotations
In UK English, it can sound slightly old-fashioned but still in common use. In US English, it may sound quaint or deliberately British.
Frequency
Used regularly in UK news media (e.g., 'promising youngster'). In US English, 'kid', 'teen', 'youth', or 'young person' are more frequent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
youngster + verb (The youngsters played)adjective + youngster (local youngster)for/to youngsters (a game for youngsters)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A whippersnapper (more pejorative)”
- “Wet behind the ears (inexperienced)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'The new management trainee is a bright youngster.'
Academic
Rare, considered informal. 'Participants were grouped into adults and youngsters.'
Everyday
Common, especially in family or community contexts. 'The youngsters are playing in the park.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers (law, medicine).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little youngster held his mother's hand.
- There are many youngsters in the school.
- Our football club has some very talented youngsters.
- The programme is designed for youngsters aged 12 to 16.
- The promising youngster made his professional debut last weekend.
- Some youngsters today face immense pressure at school.
- Despite being the youngster of the team, she displayed remarkable composure.
- The policy aims to re-engage youngsters not in education or employment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
YOUNG + STER (like 'gangster') = a young person, sometimes humorously imagined as a 'young gangster'.
Conceptual Metaphor
YOUTH AS A STAGE/JOURNEY ('starting out', 'on the way up').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not equivalent to 'молодой человек' (which is 'young man' or formal address). More like 'подросток' or 'ребёнок' depending on context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'youngsters' in formal writing.
- Referring to someone in their early 20s as a 'youngster' can be condescending.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'youngster' used most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and best suited for casual or conversational contexts.
It would likely sound odd or condescending. 'Youngster' typically refers to children or teenagers.
'Youth' can be more neutral and formal, and also refers to the period of being young. 'Youngster' is more personal and informal, referring to the individual.
It is significantly more common and natural in British English.