What does juvenile mean?
Juvenile means relating to young people, and it can also be used as a noun for a young person or young animal. The word is especially common in legal and social contexts, as in juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile detention, where it refers to children or adolescents dealt with under special legal arrangements. In everyday criticism, juvenile may suggest that someone’s behavior is immature, childish, or unsuitable for their age. The term can therefore describe both a person’s stage of life and a quality associated with that stage. Because its evaluative use can sound disparaging, it is best applied carefully, especially when referring to a young person’s conduct. As a noun, juvenile also has specialized meanings for a young animal and, in fishing, a young fish.
Relating to or characteristic of young people, particularly those below the legal age of adulthood; also, displaying immature or childish behavior.
"The court ordered the young person into juvenile detention."
In legal contexts, it refers to a person below the relevant age of majority or criminal responsibility.
A young person, especially one regarded as immature or legally below the age of adulthood; also, a young animal or young fish.
"The officer suspected that the juveniles had been involved in the break-in."
As a legal noun, it usually refers to a child or adolescent. In fisheries, juvenile can specifically mean a young fish.
The plural is used for multiple young people, and in legal or biological contexts for multiple young animals or fish.
"The programme provides support for juveniles at risk of offending."
From the Latin for “youthful,” juvenile has carried a moral charge for centuries: it can describe an age, but it often suggests immaturity, lawbreaking, or behavior considered childish.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does juvenile come from?
The word comes from Latin iuvenilis, meaning “youthful” or “pertaining to a young person,” formed from iuvenis, “young” or “youth.” English borrowed the word in the early 17th century, initially in a general sense and later in legal and biological contexts. Its Latin root is also reflected in cognates such as junior and the Latin juventus, “youth.”
Related word forms
How juvenile is actually used
In legal and criminological contexts, juvenile usually refers to a person who has not reached the age of criminal responsibility or the relevant age of majority. In general use, it can be mildly critical when it describes immature behavior, so it should be used with care in sensitive contexts.
Easily confused with juvenile
Both can refer to a young person, but juvenile often emphasizes youth combined with immaturity, legal minority, or criminal responsibility, whereas junior more commonly indicates a younger age or lower rank.