young adult

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a category of fiction that is primarily intended for adolescent readers
young adult fiction/literature
We live in an era of blockbuster young adult book series: Harry Potter, Twilight, now the Hunger Games.Leah Wilson
Early in her four-year career as the young adult librarian of the Huckaby Public Library, Veronica Garde observed that most of the staff had a sliding scale of courtesy toward library users, teenagers being given the shortest shrift.A. J. Anderson
abbreviation YA

Examples of young adult 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.
Would doctors have withheld a relatively minor procedure that would prevent imminent death of a young adult with (potentially) a full life ahead because the proxy refused to give permission? Adam W. Gaffney, STAT, 18 May 2026 However, in true young adult romance fashion, the boundaries get blurry when feelings start to get real. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026 He was born in Chicago in 1942, and, by his own account, had little direction as a young adult. Preston Fore, Fortune, 15 May 2026 Daniels, who’d hoped to find stability in a permanent home for himself and his two young adult daughters after his divorce and health struggles, is living in a fifth wheel camper. Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for young adult

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of young adult was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Young adult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/young%20adult. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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