adolescent

[ ad-l-es-uhnt ]

adjective

1. growing to manhood or womanhood; youthful.

   Synonyms: young, immature

2. having the characteristics of adolescence or of an adolescent.

noun

1. an adolescent person.

   Synonyms: minor, teenager, youth

adolescent

/ ˌædəˈlɛsənt /

adjective

1. of or relating to adolescence
2. informal.
   behaving in an immature way; puerile

noun

1. an adolescent person

Other Words From

• ado·lescent·ly adverb
• postad·o·lescent adjective noun
• subad·o·lescent adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adolescent¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin adolēscent- (stem of adolēscēns “growing up,” present participle of adolēscere ), equivalent to adol(ē)- ( adult ) + -ēsc- verb suffix + -ent- adjective suffix; -esce, -ent

Example Sentences

She is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People.

From BBC

Increased awareness has to come from the medical fraternity, says Dr Satwik, adding that there need to be as many talks on menopause or perimenopause as there are on fertility and adolescent health.

From BBC

She said "he had a penchant for touching and spying on young adolescent boys and his desires were easily satisfied because of the positions he held".

From BBC

He double-tracked Gore's voice, adding little flourishes of brass and unexpected chord changes that perfectly evoke the song's adolescent angst.

From BBC

Ms Ghey said her daughter began struggling with her mental health from the age of 14, but refused to engage with the Child Adolescent Mental Health Service.

From BBC

Related Words

• juvenile
• minor
• teenager
• tween
• youngster
• youth