With freshness, energy, playfulness, or openness associated with youth.
Reach for it when describing a manner while avoiding the claim that only young people show it
He approached the unfamiliar game youthfully and without self-consciousness.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| literary |
everyday
energetically
Fits when visible activity is the actual manner
Careful Energetically can be frantic and should not be treated as proof of youthfulness.
warm
Fits when lack of defensiveness or self-consciousness is central
Careful Openness occurs at every age and may not feel youthful.
warm
Fits when lighthearted engagement matters
Careful Playfulness is one quality and does not capture youthful freshness more broadly.
professional
curiously
Fits when questioning and desire to learn are the evidence
Careful Curiously can also mean strangely and says nothing about age.
literary
Fits when a new, unwearied approach is central
Careful Freshly more often means recently and can sound awkward for a person's manner.
literary
Fits when lively movement suits an old-fashioned voice
Careful Sprightly is normally an adjective and can patronize older adults.
youthfully curious
She remained youthfully curious while bringing decades of judgment.
youthfully energetic
The ensemble played youthfully energetic music without rushing.
smile youthfully
He could smile youthfully without disguising his age.
Keep in mind
Youthfully is uncommon and can be ageist. A specific adverb such as playfully, curiously, or energetically is usually clearer.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated
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