youthful

American  

[yooth-fuhl] / ˈyuθ fəl /

adjective

1. characterized by youth; young.

2. of, relating to, or befitting youth.

   youthful enthusiasm.

3. having the appearance, freshness, vigor, etc., of youth.

   She is 60 but her optimism has kept her youthful.

4. in an early period of existence; early in time.

5. Physical Geography. (of topographical features) having undergone erosion to a slight extent only.

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youthful British  

/ ˈjuːθfʊl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, possessing, or characteristic of youth

2. fresh, vigorous, or active

   he's surprisingly youthful for his age

3. in an early stage of development

   a youthful culture

4. Also: young.  (of a river, valley, or land surface) in the early stage of the cycle of erosion, characterized by steep slopes, lack of flood plains, and V-shaped valleys Compare mature old

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Related Words

See young.

Other Word Forms

• preyouthful adjective
• unyouthful adjective
• unyouthfully adverb
• unyouthfulness noun
• youthfully adverb
• youthfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of youthful

First recorded in 1555–65; youth + -ful

Example Sentences

But amid the various situations that arise out of the unlikely Cynthia-Stan relationship is a sense of retribution for youthful sins.

From The Wall Street Journal

At 27, Duop’s youthful face belied a life marked by war and poverty.

From Salon

The spirit of Stoppard’s work is perennially youthful.

From The Wall Street Journal

The dissolution order comes after the prime minister lost the support of the youthful, progressive People's Party - also the largest party in parliament - which had previously backed his premiership.

From BBC

The officers sped up to a dilapidated block of flats in their vans as a youthful gang look-out on the gate promptly fled on foot.

From BBC

Related Words

• adolescent
• boyish
• childish
• childlike
• enthusiastic
• girlish
• inexperienced
• underage
• young