adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
Synonyms of adolescencenext
1
: the period of life when a child develops into an adult : the period from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority (see majority sense 2a)
He struggled through his adolescence.
2
: the state or process of growing up
3
: a stage of development (as of a language or culture) prior to maturity

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence. He struggled through his adolescence.
Recent Examples on the Web Keeping with the schizophrenia example, Kei says heavy marijuana use in adolescence is linked with a higher risk with the disorder. —Carina Woudenberg, Discover Magazine, 2 July 2024 The Thirteenth Year addresses similar themes as other movies on this list — transitioning from childhood to adolescence and learning to accept responsibility for your actions — but does so through a fun dose of mermaid mythology. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 July 2024 But graduating from childhood to adolescence may even have improved upon it. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024 This film is all about the emotions of adolescence. —Karen Idelson, Variety, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for adolescence 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adolescence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin adolēscentia, adulēscentia, noun derivative of adolēscent-, adolēscens adolescent entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of adolescence was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near adolescence

adolesce

adolescence

adolescency

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

adolescence

noun
ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
: the state or process of growing up
also : the period of life from puberty to maturity
adolescent
-ᵊnt
adjective or noun
Etymology

Middle English adolescence "adolescence," from early French adolescence (same meaning), from Latin adolescentia (same meaning), from adolescere "to grow up" — related to adult

Medical Definition

adolescence

noun
ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
1
: the state or process of growing up
2
: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority

More from Merriam-Webster on adolescence

Nglish: Translation of adolescence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of adolescence for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adolescence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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