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

Like the real lives of American teens, the show made the everyday problems of high school and teen relationships feel like life and death, giving a gravitas to adolescence desperately needed. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 June 2026

This age group is when the following four steps are recommended to be taught through the rest of their adolescence. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

Erik Erickson describes adolescence as a time of identity formation. — Scott White, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Set in a small Spanish town, Mio undertakes an odyssey between childhood and adolescence that demands everything of him in his quest to find himself. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 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