youth

UK: juːθ | US: juːθ

Definition
  1. n. the period between childhood and adulthood

  2. n. young people collectively

  3. n. the state or quality of being young

Structure
you <young>th <noun suffix>
Etymology

youth = you<young> + th<noun suffix>

  • you (from Old English geong, meaning "young")
  • th (a noun-forming suffix indicating state or condition, from Old English -þu)

Etymology Origin:
The word "youth" traces back to Old English geoguþ, derived from geong (young) + -þu (a suffix forming abstract nouns). Over time, geoguþ evolved into Middle English youthe, eventually simplifying to "youth." The suffix -th (as in "strength," "truth") was commonly used in Old English to denote abstract qualities or states. Thus, "youth" literally means "the state of being young."

Examples
  1. She spent her youth traveling the world.

  2. The youth of today face many challenges.

  3. His energy and enthusiasm reflect his youth.

  4. The program aims to empower disadvantaged youth.

  5. In his youth, he dreamed of becoming a musician.