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

• 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

The smiling faces of children exploring the wonders of nature and adolescence filled most of my SD cards. —Lex Goldstein, Allure, 15 Aug. 2025

Clune writes of adolescence with specificity—there’s the annoying younger kid who wants to sit with Nick on the bus, the windows on the bus that open exactly two inches, the hallucinatory anticipation of a blue-raspberry slushie at 7-Eleven. —Emily Witt, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025

Throughout their adolescence, Stoner would deal with stalkers, as well as an eating disorder that led to a stint in rehab in 2011. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Nick Kroll co-created the raunchy comedy, which explores puberty, sexuality, and the never-ending embarrassments of adolescence. —Huntley Woods, EW.com, 9 Aug. 2025

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