Youth vs. Young: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
"Youth" refers to the period of life between childhood and adulthood or a young person, while "young" is an adjective describing someone or something with little age.
Key Differences
"Youth" and "young" are two terms that revolve around the concept of age and the early phases of life. "Youth" is a noun that often represents the period between childhood and adulthood. It can describe a particular stage in one's life or collectively refer to young people in general. For instance, many countries have youth development programs aimed at nurturing the potentials of their younger generation.
On the other hand, "young" primarily serves as an adjective. It describes someone or something that is in the early stages of its life or existence. For example, a young child, a young plant, or a young company. The term can be used to contrast with old, highlighting the difference in age and, sometimes, experience.
In some contexts, "youth" can be singular or plural, referring to one or more young individuals. A country's youth, for example, signifies its entire population of young people. However, "young" doesn't possess this flexibility and strictly remains an adjective, often emphasizing the freshness, vigor, or the newness of someone or something.
While both "youth" and "young" revolve around the early stages of life, their usage in sentences differs based on their grammatical functions. "Youth" can be the subject or object in a sentence, like "The youth of today face many challenges." On the contrary, "young" typically qualifies nouns, providing context about age, as in "She is a young artist with immense potential."
Another interesting note is the emotional and cultural weight these terms carry. "Youth" often evokes feelings of nostalgia, potential, or the challenges faced during formative years. "Young," meanwhile, can bring forth ideas of inexperience but also vitality, innovation, and new beginnings.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective
Describes
Period between childhood and adulthood or young people
Early stages of life or existence
Grammatical Use
Can be subject or object in sentences
Qualifies nouns
Plural Usage
Can be singular or plural
Adjective, doesn't have plural form
Associated Connotations
Potential, challenges, formative years
Vitality, newness, inexperience
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Youth and Young Definitions
Youth
The early stage of existence, growth, or development.
The company is still in its youth.
Young
Not as old as the norm or as expected.
He is young to be a CEO.
Youth
The period between childhood and adult age.
The challenges faced in one's youth shape their adulthood.
Young
Typical of young people.
She has a young spirit and loves adventures.
Youth
A group of young people collectively.
The youth of the town came together for a fundraiser.
Young
Being in an early period of life, development, or growth.
Youth
A young person, especially as representing a sector of society.
The youth are rallying for climate change.
Young
Newly begun or formed; not advanced
A young biotech company.
Youth
The freshness and vitality associated with being young.
He has the energy and spirit of youth.
Young
Relating to, typical of, or suggestive of youth or early life
He is young for his age.
Youth
The condition or quality of being young
Travel while you still have your youth.
Young
Lacking experience; immature
A young hand at plowing.
Youth
The time of life between childhood and maturity
He was rebellious in his youth.
Young
Being the junior of two people having the same name.
Youth
An early period of development or existence
A nation in its youth.
Young
(Geology) Being of an early stage in a geologic cycle. Used of bodies of water and land formations.
Youth
A young person, especially a young male in late adolescence.
Young
Young persons considered as a group; youth
Entertainment for the young.
Youth
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Young people considered as a group.
Young
Offspring; brood
A lioness with her young.
Youth
(Geology) The first stage in the erosion cycle.
Young
In the early part of growth or life; born not long ago.
A lamb is a young sheep;
These picture books are for young readers
Youth
(uncountable) The quality or state of being young.
Her youth and beauty attracted him to her.
Young
At an early stage of existence or development; having recently come into existence.
The age of space travel is still young;
A young business
Youth
(uncountable) The part of life following childhood; the period of existence preceding maturity or age; the whole early part of life, from childhood, or, sometimes, from infancy, to adulthood.
Make the most of your youth, it will not last forever.
I made many mistakes in my youth, but learned from them all.
Young
(Not) advanced in age; (far towards or) at a specified stage of existence or age.
How young is your dog?
Her grandmother turned 70 years young last month.
Youth
(countable) A young person.
There was a group of youths hanging around the parking lot, reading fashion magazines and listening to music.
Young
Junior (of two related people with the same name).
Youth
(countable) A young man; a male adolescent or young adult.
Young
(of a decade of life) Early.
Youth
Young persons, collectively.
Young
Youthful; having the look or qualities of a young person.
My grandmother is a very active woman and is quite young for her age.
Youth
The quality or state of being young; youthfulness; juvenility.
Such as in his faceYouth smiled celestial.
Young
Of or belonging to the early part of life.
The cynical world soon shattered my young dreams.
Youth
The part of life that succeeds to childhood; the period of existence preceding maturity or age; the whole early part of life, from childhood, or, sometimes, from infancy, to manhood.
He wondered that your lordshipWould suffer him to spend his youth at home.
Those who pass their youth in vice are justly condemned to spend their age in folly.
Young
(obsolete) Having little experience; inexperienced; unpracticed; ignorant; weak.
Youth
A young person; especially, a young man.
Seven youths from Athens yearly sent.
Young
(often as if a plural noun) Offspring, especially the immature offspring of animals.
The lion caught a gnu to feed its young.
The lion's young are curious about the world around them.
Youth
Young persons, collectively.
It is fit to read the best authors to youth first.
Young
To become or seem to become younger.
Youth
A young person (especially a young man or boy)
Young
To cause to appear younger.
Youth
Young people collectively;
Rock music appeals to the young
Youth everywhere rises in revolt
Young
(geology) To exhibit younging.
Youth
The time of life between childhood and maturity
Young
Not long born; still in the first part of life; not yet arrived at adolescence, maturity, or age; not old; juvenile; - said of animals; as, a young child; a young man; a young fawn.
For he so young and tender was of age.
"Whom the gods love, die young," has been too long carelessly said; . . . whom the gods love, live young forever.
Youth
Early maturity; the state of being young or immature or inexperienced
Young
Being in the first part, pr period, of growth; as, a young plant; a young tree.
While the fears of the people were young.
Youth
An early period of development;
During the youth of the project
Young
Having little experience; inexperienced; unpracticed; ignorant; weak.
Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this.
Youth
The freshness and vitality characteristic of a young person
Young
The offspring of animals, either a single animal or offspring collectively.
[The egg] bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosedTheir callow young.
Young
Any immature animal
Young
United States film and television actress (1913-2000)
Young
United States civil rights leader (1921-1971)
Young
British physicist and Egyptologist; he revived the wave theory of light and proposed a three-component theory of color vision; he also played an important role in deciphering the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone (1773-1829)
Young
United States jazz tenor saxophonist (1909-1959)
Young
English poet (1683-1765)
Young
United States baseball player and famous pitcher (1867-1955)
Young
United States religious leader of the Mormon Church after the assassination of Joseph Smith; he led the Mormon exodus from Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah (1801-1877)
Young
Young people collectively;
Rock music appeals to the young
Youth everywhere rises in revolt
Young
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth;
Young people
Young
(of crops) harvested at an early stage of development; before complete maturity;
New potatoes
Young corn
Young
Having lived or existed for a short time.
She is a young athlete with a promising career.
Young
Inexperienced or immature.
He's still young and has a lot to learn.
Young
Of or relating to the early part of life.
They have a young family to support.
FAQs
Is "youngster" related to these terms?
Yes, "youngster" is a noun for a young person, similar to "youth."
Are "youth" and "young" synonyms?
Not exactly. "Youth" is a noun, while "young" is an adjective.
Can inanimate objects be "young"?
Yes, like a "young company" or "young tree."
Does "youth" always indicate a positive notion?
Not necessarily. Context matters.
How does "youth" differ from "teenager"?
"Teenager" specifically refers to ages 13-19, while "youth" has a broader range.
Can "youth" refer to just one person?
Yes, it can refer to a single young individual or young people collectively.
Can animals be described as "young"?
Yes, like "a young lion" or "young bird."
How do you describe someone in their 20s?
They can be referred to as being in their "youth" or described as "young adults."
What's the opposite of "young"?
Typically, "old."
Are "youthful" and "young" the same?
"Youthful" often implies characteristics of being young, while "young" indicates age.
Can "youth" be an adjective?
Not typically, it's primarily a noun.
Is "youth" always about age?
Mostly, but it can also refer to the early stage of something's existence.
Does "youth" only refer to humans?
Mostly, but can be used poetically for animals.
Which is broader, "youth" or "childhood"?
"Youth" is broader, covering late teens to early adulthood, while "childhood" is earlier.
How do you use "young" in a sentence?
As an adjective, e.g., "She is a young writer."
Does "youth culture" mean the same as "young culture"?
No. "Youth culture" refers to the cultural norms of young people.
Can you say "youths" as a plural?
Yes, "youths" can refer to multiple young individuals.
Can "young" be used to describe feelings?
Yes, as in "feeling young at heart."
Is "young" only for living things?
No. It can describe non-living things like "a young wine."
Can places be described as "young"?
Yes, in terms of their development or history, like a "young nation."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
