C1adjective formal 5K

Juvenile

UK //ˈdʒuː.və.naɪl// US //ˈdʒuː.və.nl// Pronunciation

Definition

Relating to young people, especially those who have committed crimes.

Listen to definition

In simple words: Related to young people, especially when they do something wrong.

Examples

• The juvenile court handles cases involving minors.
• Her juvenile behavior was more fitting for a child than an adult.
• Juvenile offenders often receive rehabilitation instead of harsh punishment.
• Critics argue that juvenile delinquency is influenced by environmental factors.
• The report discusses various juvenile programs aimed at prevention.

Usage notes

Commonly used in legal and social contexts to describe young offenders. Less appropriate in casual conversation.

Grammar pattern

attributive use, e.g. juvenile behavior

Memory hint

Juvenile sounds like

Collocations

• juvenile crime
• juvenile justice
• juvenile delinquency

Synonyms

• young
• youthful
• teenage
• immature
• childlike

Antonyms

• adult
• mature

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'young', not recognizing legal implications.
• Using as a noun when it primarily serves as an adjective.
• Overgeneralizing to mean any young person, instead of specifically related to wrongdoing.