The term 12-year-old, e.g. can be described using three different words: PRETEEN (7 letters), subteen (7 letters), and tween (5 letters). PRETEEN is a term used to describe a child between the ages of 10 and 12, while subteen is a term used to describe a child between the ages of 8 and 12. Tween is a term used to describe a child between the ages of 9 and 12. All three terms are used to refer to children in the age range of 8 to 12 years old.