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.
At the end of the night, one of our young adult congregants approached me. Debra Newman Kamin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore Specializing in fantasy, sci-fi, young adult, mystery and horror since 1993. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 20 May 2026 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 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 27 May. 2026.

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