Young-hearted
adj.joyful, energeticwarm
What it means
Keeping the curiosity, playfulness, and openness associated with youth.
Reach for it when praising a lively outlook at any age without denying maturity
Our young-hearted neighbor still joins every community treasure hunt.
Choose between these
7- playful
fresh-minded
when freedom from stale assumptions matters
not when Fresh-minded is uncommon and may undervalue experience.
- everyday
when openness to learning is the real praise
not when Curiosity can be quiet and is not inherently youthful.
- everyday
when the familiar idiom is clearest
not when The phrase can become a cliché if no youthful quality is named.
- warm
when delight in games and experimentation is central
not when Playfulness is only one part of a young-hearted disposition.
- professional
when energy or freshness should be stated neutrally
not when Youthful may describe appearance rather than outlook.
- formal
when mood recovers readily from setbacks
not when Buoyancy concerns emotional lift rather than a broad youthful outlook.
- literary
when lively courage animates the person
not when Spirited can be combative and need not imply curiosity.
Said against
3- jaded
- world-weary
- cynical
It naturally appears in
3- young-hearted neighbor
Our young-hearted neighbor organized the street's silliest relay.
- remain young-hearted
She remained young-hearted without pretending age had taught her nothing.
- young-hearted outlook
His young-hearted outlook made room for wonder and revision.
Usage notes
Young-hearted praise should not imply that age, seriousness, or physical limits are defects.