Minor — in plain language

Plain language

a person who is under the legal age of adulthood, usually 18

• someone under 18
• a child in the eyes of the law
• a person below adult age

What to watch for

• As a legal noun, 'minor' means a person under the age of majority, not something small; a plain rewrite must keep the age meaning when the source is about a person.
• Contracts entered into by a minor are often voidable by the minor, so do not treat a minor's signature as carrying the same binding force as an adult's.
• The age of majority is usually 18 but can differ by place or by purpose; do not state a fixed age without regard to the relevant law.

A Person, Not a Size. When "minor" is used as a legal noun, it means a person under the age of adulthood, not something small or unimportant. The everyday adjective sense ("a minor delay") is a different word entirely. A plain rewrite must keep the age meaning whenever the source is talking about a person.

Limited Legal Power. The law treats minors as not yet having full legal capacity, which is why a minor's contract can often be canceled by the minor and why minors usually act through a guardian. A plain version should not treat a minor's agreement as fully binding the way an adult's would be, since that protection is central to the term.

Common Misunderstandings by Non-Lawyers.

• "A minor's signature on a contract binds them just like an adult's." (Often not — many contracts a minor signs can be voided by the minor.)
• "The age of majority is always 18 everywhere." (Not always — it can differ by place and by the particular purpose.)
• "Minor in a legal document just means something small." (No — as a noun it means a person under adult age.)

Legal definition

A person who has not yet reached the age of legal adulthood, known as the age of majority, which is usually 18. Because the law treats minors as lacking full legal capacity, they generally cannot be held to the same obligations as adults: many contracts a minor signs can be canceled by the minor, and minors often act through a parent or guardian. The exact age of majority can vary by jurisdiction and by purpose. As an ordinary adjective the same word means small or not serious, a sense unrelated to age.

Meanings by context

everyday English (adjective): small or not serious

Examples

Where you'll see it

• contracts with people under 18
• custody and guardianship matters
• criminal cases involving young people
• gifts and trusts for children

Related terms

• age of majority
• guardian
• capacity
• emancipation
• infant
• adult

Word details

Pronunciation

MY-ner

Part of speech

noun

Origin

Latin — from 'minor' — smaller, lesser, or younger; the comparative of 'parvus'

Domains

family law, contract law, criminal law, estate law

Frequency

very common

Formality

moderate