youngest
/jʌŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [jˈʌŋɡəst] /jʌŋ/ (ame, ipa)
youngest — adjective
- youngestpositive
- more youngestcomparative
- most youngestsuperlative
1. someone or something that has been alive or in use for a shorter time than any o
someone or something that has been alive or in use for a shorter time than any other in a particular group.
Beatrix is the youngest child in the family, still learning to ride a bike.
superlative: the + youngest + noun (child)
The youngest students in the school started their first class this morning.
the + youngest + noun (students)
Of all the trees in the garden, the youngest one has the brightest green leaves.
The Watanabe family's youngest daughter just turned three years old last week.
At twenty-two, Hari was the youngest person ever hired by the research lab.
- most junior
used in formal or workplace contexts rather than for age
- smallest
refers to physical size, not age; only works for children
- oldest
the direct opposite — having lived or existed the longest
文法句型
the + youngest + noun
the + youngest + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
The base form of this word is 'young'. 'Youngest' is always used as a superlative and most often follows 'the'. Frequently used with 'of' to show the group being compared: 'the youngest of the three sisters.'
常見錯誤
2. a label placed after someone's full name when two family members share it exactl
a label placed after someone's full name when two family members share it exactly, telling the reader that this is the junior person — most often a son rather than his father.
Darren Chen the youngest runs the family bakery while his father enjoys retirement.
[name] the + youngest for distinguishing family members
The invitation says Dr. Okafor the youngest will give a speech at the ceremony.
In historical records, William Pitt the youngest became prime minister at age twenty-four.
Aaron Sato the youngest signed the contract on behalf of the family business.
文法句型
[name] the + Youngest
用法筆記
This pattern is similar to 'Jr.' (Junior) in American English but is more common in British English and historical writing. The phrase 'the youngest' follows the full name and may be capitalised as part of a title.
3. designed or most appropriate for young people, especially when compared with oth
designed or most appropriate for young people, especially when compared with other similar things.
Sumin found the section for the youngest shoppers full of bright colours and fun patterns.
the + noun phrase for the youngest shoppers (things designed for young people)
The park keeps gentle rides for the youngest visitors near the entrance with soft landings.
Isabela chose a book for the youngest readers from the bottom shelf for her brother.
The hotel menu for the youngest diners has small portions and simple pasta dishes.
- most youthful
focuses more on energy or spirit than on age appropriateness
- most junior
usually about rank, not suitability for young people
文法句型
youngest + noun (things, places, activities)
用法筆記
This sense focuses on things (clothes, books, activities) made for young people, not on the age of a person. Compare with sense 1 (LEAST OLD), which describes the person or thing itself.
4. appearing less old than others in a group, or having a face that seems more yout
appearing less old than others in a group, or having a face that seems more youthful than expected for one's real age.
In the family photo, Nia looks the youngest even though she is the oldest sibling.
look + the + youngest (appearance vs. actual age)
Among the teachers at the school, Mr. Delgado looks the youngest because he exercises every day.
The youngest-looking contestant in the cooking competition was actually fifty-two years old.
With her bright smile and casual clothes, Tanvi looks the youngest among her college friends.
- most youthful
suggests energy and freshness, not just appearance
- oldest-looking
appearing more aged than others
文法句型
look + the + youngest
the + youngest + -looking
用法筆記
This sense is about outward appearance, not actual age. It often appears in phrases like 'look the youngest' or 'the youngest-looking'. The base form for describing appearance is 'young': 'She looks young for her age.'
youngest — noun
1. the person or people who are less old than everyone else in a family, group, or
the person or people who are less old than everyone else in a family, group, or community.
The youngest in the class were allowed to leave school five minutes early.
the + youngest as a noun phrase (plural)
At family dinners, the youngest always sit at the small table in the kitchen.
The youngest of the group had to carry the lightest backpack during the hike.
Grandma made sure the youngest got the first slice of cake at the party.
- the most junior members
more formal and usually about rank, not age
- the oldest
the people who have lived the longest in a group
文法句型
the + youngest (as a group noun)
用法筆記
This is a nominal use of the adjective 'youngest' — it acts as a noun while retaining the superlative meaning. It always requires 'the'. The base noun form 'the young' is more general and refers broadly to young people, while 'the youngest' picks out the most junior subset.
常見錯誤
2. the youngest babies or newly born animals in a group, especially within one litt
the youngest babies or newly born animals in a group, especially within one litter or brood.
The cat carried the youngest of her kittens to a warm spot behind the sofa.
The farmer checked on the youngest of the lambs, who had been born just before sunrise.
of phrase for specifying the youngest within a group of animals
Among the puppies in the basket, the youngest was still trying to open its eyes for the first time.
The mother bird watched the youngest of her chicks take its first short flight.
- the smallest
focuses on size, common when referring to baby animals in a litter
- the oldest
the animal in a group that was born first
文法句型
the + youngest (of an animal or litter)
用法筆記
This sense comes from the noun use of 'young' to mean 'offspring' (e.g., 'a mother bird feeding her young'). The superlative 'youngest' picks out the most recently born individual. Unlike noun sense 1 (YOUNGEST PEOPLE), this sense typically refers to a single individual animal rather than a group of people.