Iuvenis

Iuvenis is a Latin noun meaning “young man” or “youth,” primarily referring to a male in late adolescence and early adulthood. It denotes a stage between puer (boy) and vir (man), and it contrasts with senex (old man). In Latin literature, iuvenis commonly conveys vigor, potential, and the responsibilities of maturity, including education, military service, or political life. The term appears in poetry, rhetoric, and narrative to evoke youth as a social category or moral ideal, sometimes with connotations of inexperience or reform-minded energy.

Etymology: iuvenis derives from Proto-Italic roots related to iuventus, the abstract noun for youth, and iuvenilis, an adjective meaning youthful. The noun iuvenis is masculine and belongs to the third declension; its plural form is iuvenes.

Usage notes: The term iuvenis is masculine and typically used to refer specifically to male youth. Latin also employs other words and phrases to describe youth or young people in various contexts, and iuventus is used as an abstract or collective notion of youth.

See also: iuventus; iuvenilis; puer; vir; senex.