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

It has also failed to win the backing of a bipartisan parliamentary committee that’s been examining the impact of social media on adolescents.

From BBC

Additionally, the study shows about half of the cultural knowledge hunter-gatherer children and adolescents acquire comes from people they are not related to.

From Science Daily

It should be clearly explained to adolescents and their families that these symptoms are common and often manageable.

From Science Daily

The former boyband members share some of their most exciting adolescent moments becoming some of the defining faces of pop music.

From Salon

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

Related Words

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