Word
younger
US/ˈjəŋɡɝ/
UK/jˈʌŋɡɐ/
Definitions
01more young
A1 · Beginner
adj. having lived for less time than someone else.
adj. the comparative form of 'young', indicating a lesser age relative to another person or group.
“My younger brother is still in primary school while I am at university.”
“The younger generation of researchers tends to be more comfortable with data-driven methodologies than their predecessors.”
Usage
Followed by 'than' when making a direct comparison.
Pitfall
He is more younger than me.
He is younger than me.
Do not use 'more' with 'younger' because the '-er' ending already means 'more'.
Synonyms
02junior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. used after a person's name to show they are the son of someone with the same name.
adj. used as a postpositive modifier or title to distinguish a son from a father with the identical name.
“The book was written by William Pitt the Younger.”
“Historians often distinguish between the two politicians by referring to the son as 'the Younger' to avoid confusion in archival records.”
Usage
Usually placed after the name and preceded by 'the'.
Teaching tip
This is mostly found in history books or formal biographies; in everyday American English, 'Junior' is much more common.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a person who is less old
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Literary
n. someone who is not as old as you or someone else.
n. a person of lesser age than another, often used in the plural to describe a group.
“She was always very kind to her youngers at the sports club.”
“It was once considered a social requirement to show deference to one's elders and set a moral example for one's youngers.”
Usage
Often used in the plural form 'youngers' or in the phrase 'one's youngers'.
Teaching tip
This noun use is quite rare in modern conversation; students will mostly encounter it in older literature or very formal speeches.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “younger” in context.
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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