adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
Synonyms of adolescencenext
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

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Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence. He struggled through his adolescence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, a young deaf-mute woman named Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi) is grappling with the loss of her mother by suicide, fighting with her equally bereft father (Koji Yakusho) and trying to deal with the frustrations of adolescence. — Ray Bennett, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 Long before adolescence, Coogan earned millions from his films and the merch that bore his face. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026 Those cohorts cover the years of adolescence and young adulthood up to age 29, including the 18- to 24-year-old demographic most coveted by many advertisers. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Connie Britton and Sam Nivola lead the series created by Nick Paley that blends mystery, dark comedy and the awkwardness of adolescence. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adolescence

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of adolescence was in the 15th century

Rhymes for adolescence

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Browse Nearby Words

adolesce
adolescence
adolescency
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Cite this Entry

“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adolescence

noun
ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
1
: the state or process of growing up
2
: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority

More from Merriam-Webster on adolescence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adolescence

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