# underage

/ˈəndɝɪdʒ/ (US) · /ˌʌndəɹˈeɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underage
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. below legal age

adjective · CEFR B2

describes someone who is younger than the legal age to do something, like buying alcohol or cigarettes.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. youth sports

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

used to describe sports teams or competitions for children and teenagers.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a shortfall

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a situation where you have less of something than you should have, like money or supplies.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The shop was fined for selling alcohol to underage customers.
- The coach was careful to check IDs to ensure no underage players were participating in the senior tournament.
- Legislators are debating stricter penalties for social media platforms that fail to prevent underage users from accessing restricted content without parental consent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.