Younger
/ˈjʌŋɡər/noun
Comparative form of young; more young or of lesser age.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning “alive, vigorous, youthful,” so its oldest sense is less “small age” and more raw vitality.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yeuǵ-
“To be vigorous, alive, youthful”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*jungaz
“Young”
Old English
OE
geong
“Young, youthful, junior”
Middle English
ME
yonger
“Younger; more youthful, later-born”
Modern English
English
younger
“Comparative of young; of lesser age”