A young man can decide on a likely spouse on his own and then ask his parents to arrange the marriage negotiations, or the young man's parents may make the choice of a spouse, giving the child little to … Jan is married with three young children. A young girl came up to me and asked for money. The team has several talented young players waiting in the wings. He's a very versatile young actor who's as … YOUNG definition: 1. having lived or existed for only a short time and not old: 2. used after someone's name to show…. Learn more. There are 26 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word young, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. SYNONYMS 1. growing. young, youthful, juvenile all refer to lack of age. young is the general word for that which is undeveloped, immature, and in process of growth: a young colt, child; young shoots of …