Definitions
- Referring to a child between the ages of 10 and 12. - Describing the stage of development before adolescence. - Talking about the transitional period between childhood and teenage years.
- Referring to a child between the ages of 9 and 12. - Describing the stage of development between childhood and adolescence. - Talking about the transitional period between being a child and becoming a teenager.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to a transitional period between childhood and adolescence.
- 2Both words describe a specific age range, with some overlap.
- 3Both words are used to describe a stage of development before becoming a teenager.
- 4Both words are commonly used in marketing and media targeted towards this age group.
- 5Both words are relatively new additions to the English language, with 'preteen' dating back to the 1950s and 'tween' emerging in the 1990s.
What is the difference?
- 1Age range: Preteen refers specifically to children between the ages of 10 and 12, while tween includes children as young as 9.
- 2Popularity: Tween is a more recent addition to the English language and has gained popularity in marketing and media targeting this age group, while preteen has been in use for longer but is less commonly used in popular culture.
- 3Connotation: Tween can have a more positive connotation, associated with independence, growth, and self-discovery, while preteen can have a more negative connotation, associated with mood swings, awkwardness, and difficult behavior.
- 4Usage: Tween is more commonly used in American English, while preteen is more commonly used in British English.
Remember this!
Both preteen and tween refer to a transitional period between childhood and adolescence, but there are some differences between the two. Preteen refers specifically to children between the ages of 10 and 12 and has been in use for longer, while tween includes children as young as 9 and has gained popularity in marketing and media targeting this age group. Tween can have a more positive connotation, while preteen can have a more negative connotation. Additionally, tween is more commonly used in American English, while preteen is more commonly used in British English.
