adolescent

American  

[ad-l-es-uhnt] / ˌæd lˈɛs ənt /

adjective

1. growing to manhood or womanhood; youthful.

   Synonyms:

   young, immature

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

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noun

1. an adolescent person.

   Synonyms:

   minor, teenager, youth

adolescent British  

/ ˌædəˈlɛsənt /

adjective

1. of or relating to adolescence

2. informal behaving in an immature way; puerile

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noun

1. an adolescent person

Other Word Forms

• adolescently adverb
• postadolescent adjective
• subadolescent adjective

Etymology

Origin of adolescent

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

This year, the World Health Organization reviewed various studies published across the world and found that young adults and adolescents report the highest levels of loneliness too.

From BBC

When everything from the rats to the Christmas tree get bigger, so does Clara as she goes from a young girl to an adolescent.

From Los Angeles Times

Ultra-processed foods -- which make up 55 to 65 percent of what young adults eat in the U.S. -- have been associated with metabolic syndrome, poor cardiovascular health, and other conditions in adolescents.

From Science Daily

"She's being exposed to some really amazing role models through social media, particularly in the queer community which I think is really healthy for young adolescents," Ms Angus says.

From BBC

"We know it's safe and we know it's very effective. And to make the changes that are being proposed, we will see more children and adolescents and adults infected with hepatitis B."

From BBC

Related Words

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