Synonyms for "young"

8 kid-friendly synonyms for young, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "young" mean?

The word young is an adjective that means: not old; only a few years old.

Example: "The puppy is young."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for young

Younger kids can use these in place of "young":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for young

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for young

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of young (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of young:

See the full young antonyms page →

FAQ — synonyms for young

What is a good synonym for young in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try little. For older students, "youthful" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does young have?
We list 8 grade-appropriate synonyms for young across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is young a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, young is used as an adjective.

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