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 of adolescence

• youth
• infancy
• minority

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence.

He struggled through his adolescence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Matt and his brother grew into an adolescence sculpted by their dad. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Whether it’s used in adolescence, midlife or older age may make a big difference. —Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 18 June 2026

Vance describes over the course of his childhood and adolescence bouncing among Pentecostal and Southern Baptist congregations, all of them broadly conservative. —Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026

Hormonal changes and brain maturation in adolescence shift the internal biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm, toward a later sleep schedule. —Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026

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

Rhymes for adolescence

• acquiescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence
• opalescence

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