underage

¹ American  

[uhn-der-eyj] / ˌʌn dərˈeɪdʒ /

adjective

1. lacking the required age, especially that of legal maturity.

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underage ² American  

[uhn-der-ij] / ˈʌn dər ɪdʒ /

noun

1. shortage; deficiency in amount.

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underage British  

/ ˌʌndərˈeɪdʒ /

adjective

1. below the required or standard age, esp below the legal age for voting or drinking

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Etymology

Origin of underage¹

First recorded in 1585–95; under- + age

Origin of underage²

First recorded in 1605–15; under- + -age

Example Sentences

Since 2020, the FDA had restricted sales to tobacco-flavored and menthol-flavored vapes amid concerns that fruity flavors appeal to underage users.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Meta is adding visual analysis to detect underage accounts and will notify US parents about confirming teen ages on Facebook and Instagram.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Recent research from internet safety charity the Molly Rose Foundation found more than 60% of underage Australians are still using social media despite a ban on under-16s introduced in December 2025.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Those who do not confirm how old they are or are underage will have web content filters turned on automatically.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“You can’t do this. Everyone underage will have to leave, it’s only right.”

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• adolescent