Stripling/ˈstrɪplɪŋ/ Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Literary Usage Used mainly in books or stories, not in everyday conversation. The novel described the hero as a stripling with unruly hair. Pro Tip 2/3Evokes Innocence Implies youthfulness and a lack of experience or worldly wisdom. The stripling knight faced the dragon, naive and untested. Pro Tip 3/3Not Insulting Refers to age or development without negative connotations. Though but a stripling, he showed great promise in academics.