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
What was taken from June was her oldest daughter Hannah (Jordana Blake), who is now a preteen renamed Agnes still in Gilead. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, several days before Christmas in 1941, Hurley started playing music and writing his own songs as a preteen. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Even my preteen son says the brand is cool among his peers and now takes one to school. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025 Schererville man gets 25 years for molesting preteen girl A Schererville man was sentenced to 25 years in prison April 2 for molesting a preteen girl. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Preteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preteen. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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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