tween

1 of 2

preposition

ˈtwēn How to pronounce tween (audio)
Synonyms of tween
: between

tween

2 of 2

noun

: preteen

Examples of tween in a Sentence

Noun a movie that appeals to tweens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Not merely due to sympathy for the tweens, nor from projecting some future time when the unerasable archive of this yearning might prove embarrassing. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The fantastical creatures might appeal to younger kids but the storyline hinges on a series of weighty emotional moments that can only be appreciated by teens and tweens. — Parents, 25 Sep. 2026 Common Sense Media notes that some families start tweens with basic phones or smartwatches for safety while others wait longer to introduce smartphones, with pressure around messaging and group chats intensifying as kids approach middle school. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 Bicks was hired after Harvey could no longer pass as a tween. — Samantha Bergeson, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tween

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English twene, short for betwene

Noun

blend of between and teen entry 1

First Known Use

Preposition

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tween was in the 12th century

Rhymes for tween

See All Rhymes for tween

Browse Nearby Words

tweel
tween
tween-deck
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tween.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tween. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tween

2 of 2 noun
: preteen entry 1

Medical Definition

Tween

trademark
ˈtwēn How to pronounce Tween (audio)
—used for any of several preparations of polysorbates

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