youth

The most enjoyable or successful time of one's youth, likened to the bloom of a flower being its most prominent and beautiful moment. I have a great fondness for that age, when I was in the bloom of youth. Of course he doesn't take anything seriously—he's a rich kid in the bloom of youth. Honey, don't worry so much about what you look like. When you're old like me, you'll long for these days when you were in the bloom of youth.

Anything reputed or promising to restore one's youth, vitality, or health, or at least the appearance thereof. At the age of 60, your grandmother looks fantastic! She must have discovered the fountain of youth. The way they advertise these skincare products makes you think each one is the fountain of youth or something. I'm 80 years old, I have wrinkles, and I really don't care at this point. Who needs the fountain of youth?

proverb Young people who are growing seem to be hungry all the time. My teenage son has eaten every last bit of food in the house. I guess it's true that a growing youth has a wolf in his belly. Of course the boys want seconds—growing youth has a wolf in his belly. Good luck keeping food in the house once your boys become teenagers! Remember this saying and take it to heart: "Growing youth has a wolf in his belly."

In one's youth, viewed as the finest, most vital, or most exemplary part of one's life. A possessive adjective can be used between "of" and "youth." You're still in the flower of your youth—you have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do with your life. After Arthur Henry Hallam died in the flower of youth, his good friend, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, wrote the poem In Memoriam A.H.H. You won't be in the flower of youth forever, my darling. You need to live—really live—now!

The beginning or early stages of something. Of course they're happy now—they're still in the first flush of marriage!

The time in one's youth in which they have the most vitality, good health, physical ability, etc.; the prime of one's life. A possessive adjective can be used between "of" and "youth." Those who fail to pursue meaningful careers or activities will spend their latter years longing for the flower of their youth. The community has been struggling to come to terms with the death of the three boys, all struck down in the flower of youth.

proverb Young people do not appreciate all the good things about youth that they will come to desire once they are older. All the time and energy these kids have at their disposal, and they'd rather sit around all day watching TV instead of exploring the world around them. Youth is wasted on the young!

Prov. Young people who are growing fast are hungry all the time. If you doubt that a growing youth has a wolf in his belly, you should see how much my fourteen-year-old cousin eats.

Prov. Young people should be allowed to have fun. Don't lecture the young folks because they were out dancing all night. Youth must be served. I don't know where my daughter gets the energy for school, sports, and a full social life. Youth must be served, I suppose.

The best or finest time of life, at the peak of good looks, good health, and vigor. “He hath the flower of youth, wherein is the fulness of strength,” wrote Homer in the Iliad (ca. 850 b.c.). Shakespeare used similar language, but not the precise wording of the cliché. But John Dryden did, in Alexander’s Feast (1697), describing the lovely Thais “in flow’r of youth and beauty’s pride.”