nonage

/ˈnä-nij ˈnō-/ (ame, mw)

nonage — noun

1. the state of still being below the age when the law treats someone as an adult

1.名詞C2
釋義

the state of still being below the age when the law treats someone as an adult

例句

Because Mina was still in nonage, her aunt signed the travel form.

in nonage = below legal adulthood

The trust stayed under court control during Leo's nonage.

during + possessive + nonage

同義詞
  • minority

    legal term with similar meaning, especially in formal writing

  • underage status

    plain modern paraphrase rather than a set dictionary term

反義詞
  • majority

    the legal state of being an adult

  • adulthood

    broader life stage, not specifically legal

文法句型

in nonage

during + possessive + nonage

through + possessive + nonage

用法筆記

Usually appears in formal legal or historical writing rather than everyday speech. Unlike sense 2, this sense focuses on a person's legal status, not simply on the years when they were young.

常見錯誤

❌Her nonage was fifteen.
✅She was fifteen and still in nonage.
💡'nonage' names a legal condition, not the number of years itself.
❌He stayed in nonage until he felt mature.
✅He stayed in nonage until the law recognized him as an adult.
💡This sense depends on legal age, not on personal feelings.

2. the part of a person's life when they are still young, especially in literary or

2.名詞C2
釋義

the part of a person's life when they are still young, especially in literary or old-fashioned use

例句

In his nonage, Reuben learned carpentry beside his grandfather's workshop.

in + possessive + nonage (early life)

The poet spent her nonage near mountain fields and cold rivers.

spend + nonage

同義詞
  • youth

    more common everyday word for the years of being young

  • early life

    plain modern phrase without the old-fashioned tone

  • childhood

    usually narrower and earlier than this sense

反義詞

文法句型

in one's nonage

spend one's nonage

during nonage

用法筆記

This sense is broader and less technical than sense 1. It refers to someone's younger years in general, often with a reflective or literary tone, rather than to a legal condition.

常見錯誤

❌His nonage at the camp was fun.
✅His time at the camp was fun during his nonage.
💡'nonage' names a stage of life, not a short event or visit.
❌Her nonage ended when the court signed the papers.
✅Her nonage ended when her school years were over.
💡This sense is about early life, not a legal document or court action.

3. a state of not yet thinking or behaving with adult judgment

3.名詞C2
釋義

a state of not yet thinking or behaving with adult judgment

例句

Kwame's nonage showed when he laughed during the apology meeting.

nonage showed = immaturity became visible

Mei's nonage made her slam the door instead of listening.

someone's nonage made + reaction

同義詞
  • immaturity

    the closest modern equivalent in everyday English

  • childishness

    more informal and more openly critical

  • naivety

    focuses more on inexperience than on behaviour

反義詞
  • maturity

    adult steadiness in thought and behaviour

  • judgment

    sound decision-making rather than childish reactions

文法句型

someone's nonage

nonage showed

nonage was clear

用法筆記

This sense points to childish judgment or behaviour, not to a person's age in years. Unlike sense 2, it is often critical and evaluates how someone acts.

常見錯誤

❌Her nonage makes her face look young.
✅Her youth makes her face look young.
💡This sense is about immaturity in behaviour or judgment, not physical appearance.
❌The baby's nonage was obvious in the crib.
✅The baby's young age was obvious in the crib.
💡Sense 3 is used for a lack of maturity, not simply for being an infant.