preteen

[pree-teen]

noun

1. Also called preteenager. Also called preteener. a boy or girl under the age of 13, especially one between the ages of 9 and 12.

2. preteens, the years immediately preceding one's thirteenth birthday.

adjective

1. designating or characteristic of a preteen or preteens.

   two preteen daughters.

preteen

/ priːˈtiːn /

noun

1. a boy or girl approaching his or her teens

Word History and Origins

Origin of preteen¹

First recorded in 1950–55; pre- + teen ¹

Example Sentences

When Rubio was a preteen, her maternal grandmother even pushed her to audition for “La Voz Kids,” the Spanish offshoot of “The Voice” for singers under the age of 15.

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But I did have one thing I lacked as a preteen: access to alcohol.

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By January, Musk had transitioned to lieutenant, making up DOGE, complete with cringey swag, like a lonely preteen dreaming up a secret club in his tree house.

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Aguirre said that preteens and teenagers “pick up on our moods,” and may understand more than parents realize.

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She immigrated to the United States in her preteen years and called New York City home.

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Related Words

• juvenile 
• minor 
• teenager 
• tween 
• youngster 
• youth