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

The literature on adolescence marks middle school as a turning point, a time when kids begin to pull away from their parents, discard childish pursuits, and pursue, full thrust, the exhausting project of individuation. —Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Her adolescence coincided with a period of severe economic and political crisis in Peru, as the government grappled with hyperinflation, institutional instability, and an internal conflict with insurgent groups such as the Shining Path, alongside controversial counterinsurgency measures. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026

Scientists once believed that once adolescence was over, the brain was done changing. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026

The franchise, which began in 1995, has long examined the unique relationship between children and their favorite childhood toys, nostalgia, and the growing pains of adolescence. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 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