Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

youngster

American  
[yuhng-ster] / ˈyʌŋ stər /

noun

  1. a child.

  2. a young person.

    Synonyms:
    girl, boy, stripling, lad, youth

  3. a young horse or other animal.

  4. (in the British navy) a midshipman of less than four years' standing.

  5. (in the U.S. Naval Academy) a midshipman in the second year.

youngster British  
/ ˈjʌŋstə /

noun

  1. a young person; child or youth

  2. a young animal, esp a horse

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of youngster

First recorded in 1580–90; young + -ster

Explanation

Youngster is a good, generic way to talk about a person who's younger than you are, especially a child. If you babysit a neighborhood kid, you can describe him as a youngster. The noun youngster is a casual word meaning "child," and its synonyms include tyke and small fry. Older people sometimes use it to refer to adults who are younger than they are: "You youngsters can keep playing cards, but I'm going to bed!" Youngster has been around since the 1500's, when it replaced the earlier youngling.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing youngster

Spelling Practice 2, Unit 5

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Youngster Nico O'Reilly then filled the role towards the end of last season, including the FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

Youngster Nico Williams scored Athletic’s winner in the 81st after Yeray Álvarez had evened the match in the 77th.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2022

Youngster Tanner Pearson’s effect has been swift and noticeable.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2016

Youngster Garret Sparks also is still with Toronto, which missed the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 seasons.

From Washington Times • Jun. 20, 2016

"Good for you, Youngster," Aleck shouted, leaping up.

From The Ice Queen by Ingersoll, Ernest

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.