adolescent

[ad-l-es-uhnt]

adjective

1. growing to manhood or womanhood; youthful.

   Synonyms: young, immature

2. having the characteristics of adolescence or of an adolescent.

noun

1. an adolescent person.

   Synonyms: minor, teenager, youth

adolescent

/ ˌædəˈlɛsənt /

adjective

1. of or relating to adolescence

2. informal,  behaving in an immature way; puerile

noun

1. an adolescent person

Other Word Forms

• adolescently adverb
• postadolescent adjective
• subadolescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adolescent¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin adolēscent- (stem of adolēscēns “growing up,” present participle of adolēscere ), equivalent to adol(ē)- ( adult ) + -ēsc- verb suffix + -ent- adjective suffix; -esce, -ent

Example Sentences

Like a child with a gun, their relative weakness — the performative masculinity of an insecure adolescent — should not blind us to the harm they can cause, nor assure anyone that their failure is inevitable.

From Salon

It would also have staff facilities and ancillary accommodation, including treatment, utility rooms, a sensory room and a dedicated adolescent area.

From BBC

"Since last year he has not delivered," says Dr Sharma, who is six years into his training in child and adolescent psychiatry and is a BMA rep, when asked why walkouts have returned.

From BBC

The Henry Murray Stage upstairs at the Matrix Theatre has been transformed into an adolescent hideaway, where music and literature are the only salves for alienated brooding.

From Los Angeles Times

The two cubs, one male and one female, are 14 months old — essentially adolescents in the mountain lion life cycle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• juvenile 
• minor 
• teenager 
• tween 
• youngster 
• youth