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.

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youngster British  

/ ˈjʌŋstə /

noun

1. a young person; child or youth

2. a young animal, esp a horse

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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.

Example Sentences

It added individual personalities were beginning to emerge, with one youngster already showing a noticeably independent streak and often choosing to spend time away from its siblings.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

The youngster will need further surgeries, as her parents have been told repairing her heart is like "stitching jelly" and there is more pressure on it than is typical.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Rai harboured hopes of becoming a Formula 1 driver as a youngster, but it was an idea which was quickly overtaken.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

What a moment that must have been for the youngster, a free run on goal, an open target and the noise of 60,000 fans screaming in his ears.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

A gangling, towheaded youngster, a girl of about twelve, stood looking in the doorway.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• boy
• child
• girl
• juvenile
• kid
• pupil
• student
• teenager
• youth