Preteen — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈprē-ˈtēn/ pre·teen

Meaning & Definition of Preteen

Preteen (noun)

  1. a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

Preteen (adjective)

  1. relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
  2. being younger than 13

Preteen (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in underage, teenage

    similar: ephebic, minor, subadult, teenage, underage, adolescent, immature, juvenile, young, youngish, youthful, embryonic, emergent, callow, green, inexperienced, puerile, raw, babyish, childish, childlike, infantile, infantine, kiddish, undeveloped, unfinished, unfledged, unformed, unripe, unripened, blooming, blossoming, burgeoning, flourishing, flowering
    opposite: adult, grown-up, mature, matured, aged, aging, ancient, elderly, geriatric, long-lived, old, older, oldish, senescent, senior, full-blown, full-fledged, golden, mellow, ripe, ripened, middle-aged, anile, decrepit, doddering, over-the-hill, senile, spavined, tottery

Preteen (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in teen, teenager

    similar: preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween, bairn (chiefly Scottish), bambino, bud, chap (Southern & Midland), chick, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie, kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth, adolescent, minor, kindergartner, preschooler, rug rat (slang), schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid, babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke, weanling, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper, cherub, lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad, bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy
    opposite: middle-ager, ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen, adult, grown-up

Related Entry: Preteen-ager (noun)

Preteen-ager is a different word from Preteen. The synonyms below are for preteen-ager, not for preteen.

  1. as in teen, teenager

    similar: preteen, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween, bairn (chiefly Scottish), bambino, bud, chap (Southern & Midland), chick, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie, kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth, adolescent, minor, kindergartner, preschooler, rug rat (slang), schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid, babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke, weanling, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper, cherub, lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad, bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy
    opposite: middle-ager, ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen, adult, grown-up

Related Entry: Preteen-agers (noun)

Preteen-agers is a different word from Preteen. The synonyms below are for preteen-agers, not for preteen.

  1. as in teens, teenagers

    similar: preteens, subteens, teenagers, teeners, teens, teenyboppers, tweens, bairns (chiefly Scottish), bambinos, buds, chaps (Southern & Midland), chicks, children, cubs, juveniles, kiddies, kiddos, kids, moppets, sprats, sprouts, squirts, whelps, younglings, youngsters, youths, adolescents, minors, kindergartners, preschoolers, rug rats (slang), schoolboys, schoolchildren, schoolgirls, schoolkids, babes, babies, bantlings, infants, neonates, nestlings, newborn, toddlers, tots, tykes, weanlings, imps, jackanapeses, mischiefs, monkeys, rapscallions, rascals, rogues, urchins, whippersnappers, cherubs, lads, nippers, shavers, striplings, tads, bobby-soxers, hoydens, tomboys
    opposite: middle-agers, ancients, elders, golden-agers, oldsters, old-timers, senior citizens, seniors, adults, grown-ups

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Preteen

The most common words with a similar meaning to Preteen:

Chiefly Scottish: bairn
Southern & Midland: chap
Slang: rug rat
ephebic, minor, subadult, teenage, underage, adolescent, immature, juvenile, young, youngish, youthful, embryonic, emergent, callow, green, inexperienced, puerile, raw, babyish, childish, childlike, infantile, infantine, kiddish, undeveloped, unfinished, unfledged, unformed, unripe, unripened, blooming, blossoming, burgeoning, flourishing, flowering, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Preteen

Words with the opposite meaning of Preteen:

adult, grown-up, mature, matured, aged, aging, ancient, elderly, geriatric, long-lived, old, older, oldish, senescent, senior, full-blown, full-fledged, golden, mellow, ripe, ripened, middle-aged, anile, decrepit, doddering, over-the-hill, senile, spavined, tottery, middle-ager

Origin & Etymology of Preteen

First known use: 1938

Frequently Asked Questions about Preteen

What does "Preteen" mean?

"Preteen" means a boy or girl not yet 13 years old. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Preteen"?

Other words for "Preteen" include ephebic, minor, subadult, teenage, underage, adolescent, immature and juvenile. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Preteen" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Preteen"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Preteen". Common alternatives include ephebic, minor, subadult, teenage, underage, adolescent, immature, juvenile, young and youngish.

What is the opposite of "Preteen"?

Antonyms of "Preteen" include adult, grown-up, mature, matured, aged, aging, ancient and elderly.

Is "Preteen" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Preteen" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Preteen"?

"Preteen" is pronounced /ˈprē-ˈtēn/ and divided into syllables as pre·teen.

What is the origin of the word "Preteen"?

First known use: 1938.

What is another word for "Preteen" meaning "as in underage, teenage"?

When "Preteen" (adjective) means as in underage, teenage, synonyms include ephebic, minor, subadult, teenage, underage and adolescent. Opposites in this sense include adult, grown-up, mature and matured.