adolescence

[ ad-l-es-uhns ]

noun

1. the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached; youth.
2. the process or state of growing to maturity.
3. a period or stage of development, as of a society, preceding maturity.

adolescence

/ ˌædəˈlɛsəns /

noun

1. the period in human development that occurs between the beginning of puberty and adulthood

adolescence

/ ăd′l-ĕs′əns /

1. The period of physical and psychological development from puberty to the onset of adulthood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adolescence¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscent-, stem of adolēscēns “growing up” ( adolescent ) + -ia -ia ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of adolescence¹

C15: via Old French from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscere to grow up, from alēscere to grow, from alēre to feed, nourish

Example Sentences

"To take this otter that was cute and cuddly, but in desperate need of help, and to feed her and nurture her through adolescence and help her develop into a fully-grown adult, then off she went and hung out with her own family - observing that circle of life happening but also being a part of it was incredibly rewarding," he says.

From BBC

For me, and for countless others who grew up as Directioners, it feels like the end of something which was an integral part of our adolescence.

From BBC

For her, the pretty, low-key tunes on “Amy Allen” are both a fond throwback to her adolescence, when she’d “just sit on my bed and write a poem and put it to music,” and a means of preserving the present for the future.

From Los Angeles Times

The hard experiences that you lived in your adolescence and when you were a young adult, that’s what made you what you are.

From Los Angeles Times

Partly this was due to the body dysmorphia I suffered from, beginning in adolescence, when I developed early.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boyhood
• teens