underage
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The shop was fined for selling alcohol to underage teenagers.”
In context“The establishment faced severe penalties after an inspection revealed they were consistently serving underage patrons without checking identification.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“He started his career playing for the local underage football team.”
In context“The national association has invested heavily in underage development programmes to ensure a steady pipeline of talent for the senior squad.”
UsageCommonly used in Ireland and parts of the UK to refer to youth leagues.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The store manager had to explain the underage in the weekly cash report.”
In context“The audit identified a significant underage in the warehouse inventory, suggesting either a clerical error or systemic theft.”
UsageUsually used in accounting, logistics, or retail management.
“The couple's bodies were found by their underage children (aged 14 and 16) next to the jacuzzi of their home.”
From under- + age.
From under + -age.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.