younger

¹

[yuhng-ger]

adjective

1. comparative of young.

2. (usually initial capital letter),  (used to designate the junior of two related persons bearing the same name).

   Charles the Younger ruled after his father abdicated.

noun

1. the junior of two persons in age (often used with a possessive pronoun).

   Her brother is seven years her younger.

Younger

²

[yuhng-ger]

noun

1. Thomas Coleman Cole, 1844–1916, U.S. outlaw, associated with Jesse James.

Word History and Origins

Origin of younger¹

First recorded before 1000; young ( def. ) + -er ⁴ ( def. )

Example Sentences

When Palmer looked up again, Gil and the younger child had disappeared into the terminal crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

But he has remained with his nightly streaming newscast, “Top Story,” to maintain a presence with an audience that is about 20 years younger than the one watching traditional TV.

From Los Angeles Times

Keeping it going means shifting an increasing amount of resources from younger generations, workers and business owners, to older ones.

From BBC

That upbringing has also inspired his younger sister Johanna to pursue a future in the sport, the 22-year-old turning professional earlier this year, and Duplantis is still coached by his parents.

From BBC

The FDA, on the other hand, has approved COVID-19 vaccines only for those ages 65 and older, as well as younger individuals with underlying medical conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inconsequential 
• lesser 
• negligible 
• petty 
• secondary 
• slight 
• trivial 
• unimportant