What does young mean?
Young is a common adjective describing someone or something that has existed for only a short time. It most often refers to a person in an early stage of life, as in 'a young woman,' but it can also describe a new organization, an early stage of a development, or an idea that has not yet matured. The adjective may imply liveliness, potential, or newness, though it can also suggest inexperience or a lack of judgment. As a noun, 'young' usually means young people collectively: 'the young are the future of the nation.' In familiar speech, 'young' can be used affectionately or teasingly for an older person. Its simplicity makes it useful across many contexts, from precise descriptions of age to broad cultural references, and its long history connects modern English with related Germanic forms such as German jung and Dutch jong.
Having or indicating a short period of life, recent existence, or an early stage of development; lacking maturity or experience.
"The company has a young workforce with many promising new ideas."
When applied to a person, the word is usually neutral, but it can become informal or mildly patronizing when an adult is being described as young.
Young people collectively, especially when considered as a social group.
"The museum offers free admission to students and the young."
Usually used in the definite form 'the young' or in the plural phrase 'young people'; the standalone plural 'youngs' is uncommon.
The plural is uncommon. For people, 'young people' or 'the young' is more natural.
"The animals produced two youngs in the spring."
The word has endured for more than a thousand years: it descends from Old English ġeong and remains a close relative of German jung and Dutch jong.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does young come from?
The English adjective comes from Old English ġeong, also recorded as ġung, meaning 'young' or 'juvenile.' It continues the Proto-Germanic form *jungą and is cognate with Dutch jong, German jung, and Old Norse ungr. The related English noun youth developed from the same ancient Germanic root, while forms such as youthful preserve that shared ancestry.
Related word forms
How young is actually used
The adjective is broadly neutral, although it can sound affectionate, informal, or patronizing when used to address an adult. In phrases such as 'the young' or 'young people,' it may refer to a broad age group and can carry social, generational, or political connotations.