adolescence

American  

[ad-l-es-uhns] / ˌæd lˈɛs əns /

noun

1. the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached; youth.

2. the process or state of growing to maturity.

3. a period or stage of development, as of a society, preceding maturity.

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adolescence British  

/ ˌædəˈlɛsəns /

noun

1. the period in human development that occurs between the beginning of puberty and adulthood

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adolescence Scientific  

/ ăd′l-ĕs′əns /

1. The period of physical and psychological development from puberty to the onset of adulthood.

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Etymology

Origin of adolescence

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscent-, stem of adolēscēns “growing up” ( adolescent ) + -ia -ia ( def. )

Explanation

The period of time when you physically and emotionally transition from childhood to adulthood is called adolescence. Basically it's when you're old enough to want to be an adult, but young enough that no one takes you seriously! The noun adolescence comes from the Latin word adolescere, which means "to ripen" or "to grow up." So it makes sense that we use it to describe that unique age when kids start growing into something closer to grown-ups. Adolescence can also refer more specifically to puberty. When you were in your adolescence, it bothered you when your parents pried into your life. But now that your kids are adolescents, you do the same thing to them.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, my sister was born, and throughout her childhood and most of her adolescence, my dad insisted they were moving back to Argentina.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Children’s lungs are still developing, and lung function continues to mature throughout adolescence, making children more susceptible than adults to the adverse effects of air pollution.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Henry David Thoreau’s timing was one of his gifts: Living and writing during his nation’s adolescence, he was something of an adolescent himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

According to Emily Willoughby, a researcher in behavioural genetics at the University of Minnesota, childhood and adolescence provide a genuine window of opportunity for shaping attitudes.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

He was old enough, twelve years and a few months, to have lost the prominent tummy of childhood; and not yet old enough for adolescence to have made him awkward.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Related Words

• boyhood
• teens