Lexical-semantic field of the lexeme young

Statement of the problem. In modern Russian language, the adjective molodoi (‘young’) is characterized by high functional activity and broad semantic variability. It is used in various speech domains and includes both direct and transferred meanings reflecting age-related, temporal, stylistic, and evaluative characteristics. However, a comprehensive analysis of its lexical-semantic field encompassing core, near-peripheral, and far-peripheral components has not yet been conducted, and this complicates systematization of its meanings and functional features. The purpose of the article is to determine the structure of the lexical-semantic field of the lexeme molodoi, identify its main and peripheral meanings, as well as analyze its functional and stylistic usage features in contemporary Russian. Materials and methods. Lexicographic description: etymological, semantic, and word-formation analysis, identification of synonymous and antonymic relationships, as well as component analysis and compatibility analysis. Explanatory, word-formation, etymological dictionaries, dictionaries of synonyms and antonyms, as well as examples from modern linguistic usage were used as comparative material. Research results. It was established that the core of the lexical-semantic field comprises the meaning ‘youthful age’. Near periphery encompasses transferred meanings such as fresh, new, youngish, while distant periphery includes conversational, metaphorical, and expressive words like green, beginner, promising. High word-formative productivity of this lexeme forming an extensive word family was revealed. Lexeme molodoi actively participates in hyperonym-hyponymic, synonymous, antonymous, and gradation relationships, confirming its polyfunctionality and wide combinability. Conclusions. The lexeme molodoi retains ancient significance related to age characteristic but demonstrates active expansion of semantics in contemporary language. It serves as a universal marker of novelty, promise, and dynamism, functioning actively across different discourses and possessing high associative potential. These findings highlight the necessity for further systematic research into lexical-semantic fields in Russian.