juvenile
/ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒuːvənl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjü-və-ˌnī(-ə)l -nᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdʒuː.vən.aɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒuː.və.nəl/ (ame, ipa)
juvenile — adjective
- juvenilepositive
- more juvenilecomparative
- most juvenilesuperlative
1. relating to individuals below the legal or social age at which full adult respon
relating to individuals below the legal or social age at which full adult responsibility is given.
The new policy reduces adult prison sentences for young people by expanding juvenile court programmes.
collocation: juvenile court
Jin spoke to a social worker about volunteer opportunities at a local juvenile detention centre.
collocation: juvenile detention centre
The centre offers education and job training for young people involved in the juvenile justice system.
Obi attended a workshop on preventing juvenile delinquency in the local high school.
- underage
strictly legal focus on being below the permitted age, less common in everyday speech
- minor
more formal legal term; used as a noun or adjective to mean below the age of majority
- adolescent
focuses on the teenage developmental stage rather than the legal status
- adult
a person who has reached the age of legal responsibility
用法筆記
Frequently appears as an attributive adjective before nouns like 'court', 'crime', 'offender', and 'delinquency' in legal and social contexts.
常見錯誤
2. describing a medical condition that first appears in young patients and is not t
describing a medical condition that first appears in young patients and is not typically found in adults.
Yael was diagnosed with a mild form of juvenile arthritis at the age of seven.
collocation: juvenile arthritis
The children's hospital runs a special programme for patients with juvenile-onset diabetes.
collocation: juvenile-onset
Chiara's doctor referred her to a specialist who treats children with juvenile-onset lupus.
Dr. Hamza specialises in treating children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- childhood
less formal and broader in scope, not limited to medical contexts
- paediatric
relates specifically to medical care for children; more formal register
- adult-onset
describes a disease that first appears in adulthood
用法筆記
This sense is almost exclusively used in medical contexts. The disease name is often a compound: 'juvenile diabetes', 'juvenile arthritis'. Increasingly, 'juvenile-onset' is used to distinguish from adult-onset forms.
3. used in biology to describe an animal that is still developing and has not yet r
used in biology to describe an animal that is still developing and has not yet reached its full adult form, size or reproductive ability.
The field guide explains how to tell a juvenile penguin from an adult by feather colour.
contrast: juvenile vs adult
Aarav watched two juvenile eagles learning to fly while their parents watched nearby.
The biologist marked each juvenile frog with a tiny tag before releasing it back into the pond.
Darius noticed that the juvenile crabs had smaller claws than the adults hiding under the rocks.
- adult
an animal that has reached its full size and reproductive capability
用法筆記
Common in biology and wildlife contexts. 'Juvenile' in this sense describes an intermediate life stage — the animal looks like a smaller version of the adult but is not yet able to reproduce.
常見錯誤
4. showing behaviour that is silly or immature in a way that is more suitable for a
showing behaviour that is silly or immature in a way that is more suitable for a young child and that people often disapprove of.
Felix was told his joke about the printer was juvenile and not suitable at work.
register label: disapproving
Constanza left the meeting, unable to bear the juvenile arguments between her two colleagues.
Kemi refused to take part in what she called a juvenile game of spreading rumours about classmates.
The teacher told the students that their whispering during the exam was juvenile and disrespectful.
- mature
showing sensible adult behaviour and good judgement
用法筆記
Carries a strong negative judgement. Used to criticise someone's behaviour, sense of humour, or attitude. More common in spoken language than in formal writing.
常見錯誤
juvenile — noun
- juvenilesingular
- juvenilesplural
1. a person below the age at which the law considers someone to be an adult and res
a person below the age at which the law considers someone to be an adult and responsible for their own actions.
The lawyer argued that a fourteen-year-old is a juvenile and should not face adult penalties.
countable noun with indefinite article
Layla read about a programme that helps juveniles find jobs after leaving detention centres.
plural form: juveniles
The judge decided to send the juvenile to a rehabilitation centre rather than a prison.
Studies show that juveniles who receive support at school are less likely to re-offend later.
- minor
strictly legal term, more neutral than 'juvenile' in court contexts
- adolescent
focuses on the teenage developmental stage rather than legal status
- youth
broader and more neutral; can refer to young people in general
- adult
a person who has reached the age of legal responsibility
用法筆記
This noun sense is most common in legal and formal contexts. In everyday conversation, 'teenager' or 'young person' are more natural. 'Juvenile' as a noun can sound technical or even negative when used outside legal settings.
常見錯誤
2. a creature, especially in biology or wildlife contexts, that is still developing
a creature, especially in biology or wildlife contexts, that is still developing and has not yet reached its mature stage.
Small fish near the surface are juveniles that will change colour as they grow, the guide explained.
plural: juveniles
Élise photographed a juvenile resting on a rock while its mother hunted for food nearby.
Pedro gently placed the juvenile back into the river after measuring its length and weight.
The wildlife centre raises juveniles born in captivity before releasing them into protected areas.
- adult
a fully grown animal capable of reproduction
用法筆記
Used in biology, wildlife observation, and aquaculture. When the animal is a familiar domestic species, the specific name (puppy, kitten, foal, calf, cub) is far more common than 'juvenile'.