What does youngest mean?
Youngest is the superlative adjective of young, meaning the person or thing that has the least age or was born most recently in a group. In family and school contexts, it commonly identifies the child with the earliest birth date: "the youngest child" may therefore be much younger than siblings of quite different ages. The word can also mean newest or earliest established, as in "the youngest branch" of an organisation, though "newest" is often clearer. When used as a noun, as in "the youngest," the term refers to the youngest member of a group; in formal prose it normally takes the definite article. Youngest is neutral in tone and widely used in both British and American English. Its connotation is generally factual rather than negative, although the related idea of youth can suggest inexperience, energy, or immaturity depending on the context.
Having the least age or having been born most recently among a group.
"She is the youngest person in the orchestra."
This is the standard superlative form of young.
A person who is younger than every other member of a group.
"The youngest was invited to introduce the guests."
Used substantively and normally with the definite article, especially as "the youngest."
The title of youngest person alive changes with every birth, making it one of the world's shortest-lived superlatives.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does youngest come from?
Youngest is the superlative of young, whose Old English form was ġeong. That word belonged to the Germanic family that also produced modern German jung and is related to youth; more distantly, it is cognate with Latin iuvenis, the source of juvenile and junior. The superlative ending -est was already productive in Old English, and the modern form youngest reflects the established Middle English pattern.
Related word forms
How youngest is actually used
Youngest is neutral in tone and common in both formal and informal contexts. When used as a noun, it normally takes the definite article, especially in the form "the youngest."
Easily confused with youngest
Younger is the comparative form and indicates that one of two or more people or things has less age; youngest is the superlative form and indicates the least age in a group.