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preadolescence

American  
[pree-ad-l-es-uhns] / ˌpri æd lˈɛs əns /

noun

  1. the period preceding adolescence, usually designated as the years from 10 to 13.


Etymology

Origin of preadolescence

First recorded in 1925–30; pre- + adolescence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It seems like wherever you had your developmental life preadolescence and adolescence tends to be where your thermostat is tuned."

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2023

But the theme of perpetually arrested preadolescence has always been Disney’s first commandment.

From Time • Jun. 1, 2012

Whereas the humiliations of preadolescence are fodder for comedy in male characters — the squeaking voice, the pimples, the delayed growth spurt — in girls it’s an age often avoided.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2011

Even battling evil warlocks, when tween girls leave the page for the screen, they largely hew to an awkward caricature of preadolescence.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2011

The same principles should carry over into the intermediate, or preadolescence, age.

From How to Teach Religion Principles and Methods by Betts, George Herbert