youngster

plural youngsters

1. A young person.

   “Besides,” she says, looking possessively at her class of Chinese youngsters, “can you imagine these children going to an ordinary school?”

   1973 July 16, Wayne King, “Philadelphia's Chinatown Is Threatened by ‘Progress’”, in The New York Times

   3 more examples

   As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   ‘Cook-housekeeper jobs don’t grow on trees,’ went on the woman, ‘leastways not where you can keep a youngster with you.’ [...] ‘Do you mean,’ stammered Jess, ‘that you are . . .?’ ‘Cook-housekeeper,’ the woman nodded. ‘Aren’t I telling you? It’s all confirmed!’ ‘And the youngster – me?’ asked Jessamy. ‘Well, whoever else you silly child!’ said the housekeeper, smiling.

   1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 32

   In a single moment Montenegro and their supporters were given fresh impetus and encouragement. Beciraj tested Hart with a low shot before teenager Phil Jones, on his England debut, suffered an anxious moment when Stevan Jovetic went down under his challenge, leaving the youngster clearly relieved to see referee Stark wave away Montenegro's appeals.

   2011, Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England

   Synonyms: sapling. See also Thesaurus:child.