teens

American  

[teenz] / tinz /

plural noun

1. the numbers 13 through 19, especially in a progression, as the 13th through the 19th years of a lifetime or of a given or implied century.

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teens British  

/ tiːnz /

plural noun

1. the years of a person's life between the ages of 13 and 19 inclusive

2. all the numbers that end in -teen

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Etymology

Origin of teens

1595–1605; teen (extracted from numbers with -teen as final element) + -s ³

Example Sentences

For the last half-century, public approval of Congress has consistently been low; with the exception of a few spikes in approval, such as after 9/11, congressional approval ratings rarely rise above the teens.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

Then I didn’t start playing guitar or piano until late teens.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

After returning to around average of the mid to high teens, temperatures will jump into the low twenties for much of the United Kingdom from mid-week.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Under Goad’s brand leadership, Claire’s is shifting its focus from little girls to tweens and young teens, concentrating on appealing to what she calls the messy middle between childhood and adolescence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Following the tradition of the region, teens and older children prowled their neighborhoods.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• boyhood