Word
underage
Phoneticsun·der·age, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈəndɝɪdʒ/
UK/ˌʌndəɹˈeɪdʒ/
Definitions
01below legal age
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law
adj. describes someone who is younger than the legal age to do something, like buying alcohol or cigarettes.
adj. denoting a person who has not yet reached the legal age required for a specific activity, such as consuming alcohol or entering a contract.
“The shop was fined for selling alcohol to underage teenagers.”
“The establishment faced severe penalties after an inspection revealed they were consistently serving underage patrons without checking identification.”
02youth sports
B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports British English · Dialect
adj. used to describe sports teams or competitions for children and teenagers.
adj. referring to sports competitions or teams restricted to players below a certain age limit.
“He started his career playing for the local underage football team.”
“The national association has invested heavily in underage development programmes to ensure a steady pipeline of talent for the senior squad.”
Usage
Commonly used in Ireland and parts of the UK to refer to youth leagues.
Antonyms
03a shortfall
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical · Formal
n. a situation where you have less of something than you should have, like money or supplies.
n. a deficit or shortfall in funds, inventory, or capacity relative to a required or expected amount.
“The store manager had to explain the underage in the weekly cash report.”
“The audit identified a significant underage in the warehouse inventory, suggesting either a clerical error or systemic theft.”
Usage
Usually used in accounting, logistics, or retail management.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“A volunteer from the website Perverted-Justice enters an online chatroom pretending to be underage.” “The couple's bodies were found by their underage children (aged 14 and 16) next to the jacuzzi of their home.” Etymology
From under- + age.
From under + -age.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/underage