What does teenager mean?
A teenager is a person between the ages of 13 and 19. The word identifies both an age range and the distinctive stage of life associated with adolescence, including school, changing friendships, increased independence, and physical and emotional development. It is widely used in everyday speech and formal writing, without being especially informal or technical. “Teenager” usually refers to the person, while “teenage” is commonly used attributively, as in “teenage life” or “teenage friends.” The related shorter form “teen” is also standard, especially in the plural “teens,” although it can additionally refer to the age range itself. A teenager is not necessarily the same as an adolescent in every context, because “adolescent” may describe a broader developmental phase, particularly in educational, medical, or psychological settings. Similarly, a “tween” is usually younger than a teenager. The word remains useful because it combines a clear chronological limit with a familiar social and cultural meaning.
nounA person between the ages of 13 and 19 inclusive. The term refers to a stage of life as well as to a person in that age range.
- A person between the ages of 13 and 19 inclusive.
"As a teenager, she discovered that she enjoyed writing short stories."
"The teenager was preparing for her first part-time job."
"Many teenagers navigate school, friendships, and growing independence at the same time."
Use “teenagers” when referring to more than one person in this age range.
"The teenagers met at the community centre after school."
“Teenager” turns the numbers thirteen through nineteen into a name for one of life’s most transformative stages.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of teenager
“Teenager” developed in the early 20th century from “teen,” a term associated with the numerals thirteen through nineteen, together with a suffix meaning a person who is or does something. The shorter form “teen” has been in use since the 19th century and helped make the compound “teenage” standard before “teenager” became established. “Teenage” and “teenager” consequently share a modern English formation rooted in the numerical suffix “-teen,” while “teeny” is a later diminutive or informal derivative based on the same element.
How teenager is actually used
This is a standard, neutral word in formal and informal contexts. It is generally singular or plural as any noun, and it may describe either a particular person or people in general.
Easily confused with teenager
A tween is generally a child between childhood and adolescence, usually around 9 to 12 years old, whereas a teenager is 13 to 19.
Adolescent can refer broadly to a young person undergoing the physical and psychological changes of puberty, while teenager specifically denotes someone aged 13 to 19.