juvenileju‧ve‧nile /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl $ -nəl, -naɪl/ adjective 
Word Origin
juvenile crime a juvenile court► see thesaurus at young2silly and typical of a child rather than an adult – used to show disapproval SYN childish: a very juvenile sense of humour3technical juvenile birds or animals are young—juvenile noun [countable]
Word OriginWORD ORIGINjuvenile
ExamplesOrigin:
1600-1700 Latin juvenilis, from juvenis ‘young person’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Juvenile crime is an increasing problem in big cities.
- a juvenile desire to shock people
- Many juvenile offenders were being put in adult prisons.
- O'Brien, 15, will face murder charges in juvenile court.
- Some of the boys tried to involve me in their juvenile pranks, but I wasn't interested.
- The public housing units have frequently become slums and hotbeds of crime, especially juvenile delinquency.
- You wouldn't think that college students could be so juvenile.
THESAURUS► young
Collocations not old: · a young man of about 22· My dad died when I was young.· There are excellent facilities for young children.· Young people are often unable to get jobs.
► small/little a small child is very young. Little sounds more informal than small, and is used especially in spoken English: · They have two small children.· We used to go camping a lot when the kids were little.
► teenage [only before noun] between the ages of 13 and 19: · a group of teenage boys· They have three teenage children.
► adolescent especially written at the age when you change from being a child into an adult – used especially when talking about the problems that young people have at this age: · Sudden mood changes are common in adolescent girls.· adolescent behaviour
► juvenile [only before noun] formal connected with young people who commit crime: · juvenile crime· a special prison for juvenile offenders· juvenile delinquents (=young people who commit crimes)
► youthful especially written seeming young, or typical of someone who is young – often used about someone who is no longer young: · a youthful 55-year-old· youthful enthusiasm· Andrew still has a slim youthful look about him.· The photograph showed a youthful, smiling Rose.
► junior connected with sports played by young people rather than adults: · the junior championships· the junior champion
Longman Language Activatorstupid and childish► childish someone who is childish annoys you by being unreasonable and unhelpful, or by complaining and being rude, as if they were a small child: · He said he wouldn't go out with us if Jerry was going too - he's so childish!· You know how childish he can be.· I'd like you to explain your childish behaviour.
► immature someone who is immature behaves as if they were younger than they really are, so they are not as sensible or responsible as you expect them to be: · We were silly, immature teenagers, and we didn't know any better.· I was 19 when I went to college, but still very immature.· These kids are brilliant, but often socially immature.
► juvenile someone who is juvenile , especially a young adult, behaves in a very silly way like a child, when they should be more sensible: · Some of the boys tried to involve me in their juvenile pranks, but I wasn't interested. · You wouldn't think that college students could be so juvenile.
affecting or involving young people► youth: youth club/group/organization etc a club, group etc for young people: · I met her at the local youth club.· a concert by the National Youth Orchestra
► teenage use this about things produced for teenagers, or things that teenagers do: · the teenage music sceneteenage fashions/magazines/pregnancy/drug-taking etc: · There has been a significant increase in teenage pregnancies recently.
► juvenile use this about crimes by young people: juvenile crime/offender (=crime by young people/a young person who is a criminal): · Juvenile crime is an increasing problem in big cities.· Many juvenile offenders were being put in adult prisons.juvenile delinquency (=illegal or bad behaviour by young people): · The public housing units have frequently become slums and hotbeds of crime, especially juvenile delinquency.juvenile court (=a court that deals with crimes by young people): · O'Brien, 15, will face murder charges in a juvenile court.
WORD SETS► Lawaccess, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► juvenile/youth crime
1[only before noun] law relating to young people who are not yet adults: (=committed by children and teenagers)· Police blame gangs for a third of all juvenile crime in the city.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN► court· But because of her age and because it was a first offence, she wasn't sent to a juvenile court.· Starr said a juvenile court would try to work to help the children rather than punish them.· The 1969 Children and Young Persons Act retained the juvenile court system but reduced the effective powers of the juvenile magistrates.· The Pikes appealed to a juvenile court judge, who ruled in their favor.· She went on to become chairman of Guildford juvenile court magistrates.· It also houses juvenile court offices and the Grand Forks County health and social services agencies.· The first appearance a child would make after being charged would be before a youth court, formerly called a juvenile court.· The teenagers, all of whom are incarcerated at Alameda County juvenile hall, will undergo closed juvenile court proceedings.
► crime· They respect their parents and believe lack of discipline can lead to juvenile crime.· Governor Bush has made his mark building prisons, toughening laws on juvenile crime and calling for lower property taxes.· Was there ever any evidence that juvenile crime rates were significantly different in these countries?· No community untouched Each North County community has its own set of juvenile crime problems.· Mr Clarke also stressed the role of schools in combating juvenile crime and demanded more effective treatment of disruptive pupils.· Vowing a crackdown on juvenile crime, California Gov.· I emphasise that juvenile crime is not the same as adult crime.· By comparison, Sanders said juvenile crime has been up significantly in many other big cities.
► criminal· President Clinton promptly announced a law to crack down on juvenile criminals and a new computer database to track gang activity.· But we do like the concept of putting juvenile criminals to work cleaning up the ballpark.
► delinquency· It is these ideas that lead to what is seen as juvenile delinquency.· We could always relate to the juvenile delinquency thing.· Her husband was having a heated argument with a short fat woman about television as an inducement to juvenile delinquency.· Steps were taken to improve prisons and insane asylums and to check juvenile delinquency.· But there is nothing new in juvenile delinquency.· No one would assume that it referred to health, education or the battle against juvenile delinquency or even violent crime.· Secondly, Rutter evidently holds that any behavioural effects of lead are irrelevant to social phenomena, eg juvenile delinquency.· In Chapter 7 I discuss the romanticising of male urban juvenile delinquency by modern sociologists, but they are not alone.
► delinquent· They could become a den for juvenile delinquents.· He later worked with juvenile delinquents in a Florida youth services program.· It is difficult to point to the material goals which football hooligans or juvenile delinquents are chasing.· He didn't want to be a juvenile delinquent.· The other people were a mixture of juvenile delinquents and retarded middle aged criminals.· This week's focus is on juvenile delinquents.
► hall· A few weeks after the incident, the girl was arrested and sent to juvenile hall.· The three were in custody in juvenile hall in Martinez and will probably appear in court Thursday or Friday.
► justice· This then linked the juvenile justice system with the overall provision of social work.· He has signed into law several of his top agenda items, including a tougher juvenile justice code.· Allowing that possibility has always been the chief point of the juvenile justice system.· Jim Leach are mentoring youths in the juvenile justice system.· He said Bush appealed to women voters in 1994 by focusing on education, welfare reform and juvenile justice.· Michigan was another state that rewrote its juvenile justice policies in the 1990s.
► labour· In the nineteenth century there was a need to protect children from exploitation by parents as juvenile labour.· In this respect they are the forerunners of the juvenile labour exchanges with their affiliated services of vocational guidance and after-care.· It covered predominantly skilled and organized workers while the casual labour problem and that of juvenile labour was untouched.
► liaison· Two policemen are responsible for community relations and two policewomen for juvenile liaison, one each of whom is a sergeant.
► offender· There are short rehabilitation periods for juvenile offenders and persons subject to court orders or disqualifications.· Massachusetts closed its traditional, prison-like juvenile corrections institutions and moved its juvenile offenders into small, community-based group homes.· In Leicester youth court, the influx of 17-year-olds has doubled the number of juvenile offenders coming before magistrates.· Probation officers and those who treat juvenile offenders within the community say violence is an ongoing problem in the three lockups.· The execution of juvenile offenders is extremely rare and at least 72 countries set 18 as the minimum age for the death penalty.
juvenile crime a juvenile court► see thesaurus at young2silly and typical of a child rather than an adult – used to show disapproval SYN childish: a very juvenile sense of humour3technical juvenile birds or animals are young—juvenile noun [countable]