Where does “younger” come from?

younger (English) comes from German Jünger, from Middle High German junger, from Old High German jungiro — apostle, follower, pupil.

younger (English): comparative form of young: more young; One who is...

Definitions

  1. comparative form of young: more young; One who is...

Ancestry of “younger”, step by step

younger traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via German Jünger

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanJüngerdisciple
2Middle High Germanjungerapprentice, pupil, novice
3Old High Germanjungiroapostle, follower, pupil

via Dutch jonker

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1DutchjonkerA young male noble, often lacking a knighthood or...
2Middle Dutchjoncker—
Every word from Old High German jungiro →Every word from Middle High German junger →Every word from German Jünger →