adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 

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

• minority
• nonage

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence.

He struggled through his adolescence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Similar to Mean Girls, Clueless delves into the high school hierarchy, with both films using humor and sarcasm to highlight the challenges of fitting in and learning to be true to oneself amidst the chaos of adolescence. —Jane Lacroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Metamorphosis is never easy, and early adolescence is a time of rapid and staggering change—second only to infancy. —Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024

Nonetheless, the film is defined by an even freer aesthetic and still freer engagement with political and intimate subjects (including Lopes’s own louche memories of his urban adolescence). —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024

Many millennials have experienced a prolonged adolescence driven by the economic downturn of 2008 which has led them to staying in school longer and delaying career milestones. —Jasmine Browley, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s 

: 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 

1

: the state or process of growing up

2

: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority