young adult

Noun

young adult (plural young adults)

1. (attributive, often) A person who has achieved the age of majority but whose character and personality are still developing as they gain experience.
   • Near-synonyms: AYA; emerging adult
   • Young adult actress Annie Jay wrote a book called Stars in Your Eyes, Feet on the Ground giving career advice for young adult actors.

   Synonyms:

   YA, AYA, emerging adult

2. (attributive, capitalized, often, sometimes) An adolescent; a genre of writing aimed primarily at this readership.
   • My favorite young adult writer, Jen Derbyshire, just published her 50th paperback novel, the latest in an adventure series spanning fifteen years.
   • Emily said to shelve these books in Young Adult and to make a table display with some of them.

   Synonyms:

   YA