youthful
She has a youthful appearance despite being in her 60s.
She looks young and energetic even though she is older.
having the characteristics or qualities of being young; young in appearance or manner
The actor's youthful energy captivated the audience.
The actor seemed energetic and lively, like a young person.
He maintained a youthful spirit throughout his life.
He stayed positive and active, never losing his enthusiasm for life.
Often used to describe physical appearance, energy, or attitude rather than actual age.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid age confusion
Use 'youthful' to describe qualities or appearances, not actual age. Saying 'a youthful 80-year-old' is correct, but 'a youthful child' sounds unnatural.
Gold Rule
Use for qualities, not age
Reserve 'youthful' for describing traits like energy or appearance, not for describing someone's actual age. For example, 'She has a youthful face' is correct, but 'She is youthful at 30' is redundant.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'youthful', from Old English 'geoguþ' (youth) + '-ful' (suffix meaning 'full of'). The word has been used since at least the 14th century to describe qualities associated with youth.
Usage Notes
While 'youthful' can describe someone who is young, it is often used to describe older individuals who retain qualities of youth, such as energy or vitality. Avoid using it to describe children or teenagers, as it may sound odd.