underage

adjective

un·​der·​age ˌən-dər-ˈāj How to pronounce underage (audio)
1
: of less than mature or legal age
2
: done by or involving underage persons
underage drinking

Examples of underage in a Sentence

They were not allowed into the club because they were underage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The House Ethics Committee voted last week to keep its investigation of allegations that Gaetz slept with an underage woman private, but lawmakers charged ahead with plans to force its release, leading to his withdrawal. Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024 The school and parents held a meeting the night of Nov. 18 with the Sheriff's Office to address the threats and discuss the legality of the woman recording underage students. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 19 Nov. 2024 According to detectives, on the same day the allegations were reported, the victim conducted a phone call with Torres — monitored by police — in which Torres admitted to abusing the victim and at least one other underage relative. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 The most popular tobacco product for underage users was e-cigs, with 1.63 million students reporting using vapes in 2024, a major decline from 2.1 million reported users in 2023. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 9 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for underage 

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underage was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near underage

Cite this Entry

“Underage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underage. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

underage

adjective
un·​der·​age ˌən-də-ˈrāj How to pronounce underage (audio)
: of less than mature or legal age

More from Merriam-Webster on underage

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