Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Youthful?

\Youth"ful\, a. 1. Not yet mature or aged; young. ``Two youthful knights.'' --Dryden. Also used figuratively. ``The youthful season of the year.'' --Shak. 2. Of or pertaining to the early part of life; suitable to early life; as, youthful days; youthful sports. ``Warm, youthful blood.'' --Shak. ``Youthful thoughts.'' --Milton. 3. Fresh; vigorous, as in youth. After millions of millions of ages . . . still youthful and flourishing. --Bentley. Syn: Puerile; juvenile. Usage: {Youthful}, {Puerile}, {Juvenile}. Puerile is always used in a bad sense, or at least in the sense of what is suitable to a boy only; as, puerile objections, puerile amusements, etc. Juvenile is sometimes taken in a bad sense, as when speaking of youth in contrast with manhood; as, juvenile tricks; a juvenile performance. Youthful is commonly employed in a good sense; as, youthful aspirations; or at least by way of extenuating; as, youthful indiscretions. ``Some men, imagining themselves possessed with a divine fury, often fall into toys and trifles, which are only puerilities.'' --Dryden. ``Raw, juvenile writers imagine that, by pouring forth figures often, they render their compositions warm and animated.'' --Blair. -- {Youth"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Youth"ful*ness}, n.