preteen

1 of 2

noun

pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn How to pronounce preteen (audio)
-ˌtēn
: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

preteen

2 of 2

adjective

1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13

Examples of preteen in a Sentence

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.
Noun
After the preteen appeared to secure two big trophies in the September event, both of her parents raved about her on Instagram. Bailey Richards, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024 According to court documents that the filmmakers obtained when Kelly’s divorce papers were unsealed in 2019, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigated Kelly for allegedly molesting a preteen Jane Doe in 2009. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Adjective
House was created when director Nobuhiko Obayashi asked his preteen daughter what scared her. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024 What started as a consolation prize offered to an older preteen or young teenager who craves technology, communication, and social inclusion has evolved into a sort of gateway device. Emily Tate Sullivan, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for preteen 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1938, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preteen was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near preteen

Cite this Entry

“Preteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preteen. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

preteen

1 of 2 noun
pre·​teen ˈprē-ˈtēn How to pronounce preteen (audio)
: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old

preteen

2 of 2 adjective
1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13 years old

More from Merriam-Webster on preteen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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