Infant vs. Juvenile — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 21, 2024
An infant is a very young child, typically under one year old, requiring constant care, while a juvenile is an older child or adolescent, often between the ages of 10 and 18, with more independence and developing maturity.
Difference Between Infant and Juvenile
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An infant refers to a very young child, usually under one year old. Infants are highly dependent on their caregivers for all their needs and are in the earliest stages of development. They rely on others for feeding, movement, and protection, showing rapid growth and developmental changes. A juvenile, on the other hand, is an older child or adolescent, typically between the ages of 10 and 18. Juveniles have gained a significant level of independence compared to infants. They are more self-sufficient, capable of performing daily activities without constant supervision, and are in the midst of developing social, cognitive, and emotional skills.
Infants communicate primarily through crying and basic sounds, indicating their needs and emotions indirectly. Their understanding of language and ability to interact is just beginning to form. Whereas juveniles have developed more advanced communication skills, including speaking, reading, and writing, enabling them to express themselves clearly and engage in complex social interactions.
Infants' primary focus is on basic survival and initial learning through sensory experiences. They are beginning to understand the world around them through touch, sight, and sound. In contrast, juveniles are focused on more complex learning, including formal education and developing personal interests, as well as understanding abstract concepts and critical thinking.
Comparison Chart
Age Range
Typically under 1 year old
Typically 10 to 18 years old
Dependency
Highly dependent on caregivers
Increasing independence
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Communication
Basic sounds and crying
Advanced speech and writing skills
Learning Focus
Sensory experiences
Formal education and abstract thinking
Developmental Stage
Early stages of growth
Middle to late stages of development
Compare with Definitions
Infant
A child at the earliest stage of life.
The parents were excited to bring their infant home from the hospital.
Juvenile
An adolescent or teenage person.
The juvenile was eager to start high school.
Infant
A very young child, especially one under one year old.
The infant slept peacefully in the crib.
Juvenile
A young person not fully mature, typically between 10 and 18 years old.
The juvenile enjoyed spending time at the skate park.
Infant
A baby, especially one still in its first year.
The infant grasped her mother's finger tightly.
Juvenile
An immature animal, not yet fully grown.
The juvenile lion practiced its hunting skills.
Infant
An extremely young and undeveloped being.
The infant bird had just hatched from its egg.
Juvenile
A minor, particularly in legal terms.
The juvenile was given a lighter sentence due to their age.
Infant
An infant (from the Latin word infans, meaning 'unable to speak' or 'speechless') is the more formal or specialised synonym for the common term baby, meaning the very young offspring of human beings. The term may also be used to refer to juveniles of other organisms.
Juvenile
A person or animal in the developmental stage before adulthood.
The juvenile exhibited behaviors typical of its age group.
Infant
A child in the earliest period of life, especially before being able to walk.
Juvenile
Not fully grown or developed; young.
Infant
(Law) A person under the legal age of majority; a minor.
Juvenile
Of or characteristic of a young animal that has not reached sexual maturity
A bird still in juvenile plumage.
Infant
A very young nonhuman mammal, especially a primate.
Juvenile
Characteristic of, intended for, or appropriate for children or young people
Juvenile fashions.
Infant
Of or being in infancy.
Juvenile
Marked by immaturity; childish
Juvenile behavior.
Infant
Intended for infants or young children.
Juvenile
(Geology) Relating to or being water, gas, or a mineral-rich fluid believed to have originated from magma and to have come to the earth's surface for the first time.
Infant
Newly begun or formed
An infant enterprise.
Juvenile
A young person; a child.
Infant
A very young human being, from conception to somewhere between six months and two years of age after birth, needing almost constant care and attention.
Juvenile
A young animal that has not reached sexual maturity.
Infant
(legal) A minor.
Juvenile
A two-year-old racehorse.
Infant
(obsolete) A noble or aristocratic youth.
Juvenile
An actor who plays roles of children or young persons.
Infant
(obsolete) To bear or bring forth (a child); to produce, in general.
Juvenile
A children's book.
Infant
A child in the first period of life, beginning at his birth; a young babe; sometimes, a child several years of age.
And tender cries of infants pierce the ear.
Juvenile
Young; not fully developed.
Infant
A person who is not of full age, or who has not attained the age of legal capacity; a person under the age of twenty-one years; a minor.
Juvenile
Characteristic of youth or immaturity; childish.
Infant
Same as Infante.
Juvenile
A prepubescent child.
Infant
Of or pertaining to infancy, or the first period of life; tender; not mature; as, infant strength.
Juvenile
A person younger than the age of majority; a minor.
Infant
Intended for young children; as, an infant school.
Juvenile
(criminal law) A person younger than the age of full criminal responsibility, such that the person either cannot be held criminally liable or is subject to less severe forms of punishment.
Infant
To bear or bring forth, as a child; hence, to produce, in general.
This worthy motto, "No bishop, no king," is . . . infanted out of the same fears.
Juvenile
(literature) A publication for young adult readers.
Infant
A very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk;
Isn't she too young to have a baby?
Juvenile
(theater) An actor playing a child's role.
Infant
A newborn or very young animal.
The infant puppy required frequent feeding.
Juvenile
(zoology) A sexually immature animal.
Juvenile
A two-year-old racehorse.
Juvenile
Young; youthful; as, a juvenile appearance.
Juvenile
Of or pertaining to youth; as, juvenile sports.
Juvenile
Characteristic of children; immature; childish; puerile; infantile; as, a juvenile temper tantrum.
Juvenile
A young person or youth; - used sportively or familiarly.
Juvenile
A youthful person
Juvenile
Of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people;
Juvenile diabetes
Juvenile fashions
Juvenile
Displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity;
Adolescent insecurity
Jejune responses to our problems
Their behavior was juvenile
Puerile jokes
Common Curiosities
What developmental stage is a juvenile in?
Juveniles are in the middle to late stages of development.
What is the age range of an infant?
Infants are typically under one year old.
How do infants communicate?
Infants communicate through basic sounds and crying.
What defines a juvenile?
A juvenile is usually between 10 and 18 years old and is not yet fully mature.
How do juveniles communicate?
Juveniles use advanced speech and writing skills.
Can infants express themselves clearly?
No, infants primarily use crying and basic sounds to communicate needs.
How dependent is an infant compared to a juvenile?
An infant is highly dependent on caregivers, while a juvenile has more independence.
What is the primary focus of learning for an infant?
Infants focus on learning through sensory experiences.
What is the primary focus of learning for a juvenile?
Juveniles focus on formal education and developing abstract thinking.
What developmental stage is an infant in?
Infants are in the early stages of growth and development.
Are infants considered self-sufficient?
No, infants require constant care and supervision.
What is a juvenile in legal terms?
A juvenile is a minor, often receiving different legal treatment than adults.
Are juveniles considered self-sufficient?
Juveniles are more self-sufficient and capable of performing daily activities independently.
Can juveniles express themselves clearly?
Yes, juveniles have developed clear communication skills.
Do infants or juveniles have a higher level of social interaction skills?
Juveniles have more advanced social interaction skills compared to infants.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
