English Reference
Noun

adolescence

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌædəˈɫɛsəns/ UK /ˌædəlˈɛsəns/ ado·les·cence UK spelling adolescences

n.the period of life between childhood and adulthood. It is the time when your body changes and you start to become an independent adult.

n.the transitional stage of physical and psychological development that usually occurs during the period between puberty and maturity.


SIMPLE

Adolescence brings many physical and emotional changes.

CONTEXTUAL

During adolescence, teenagers often seek more independence from their parents.

COMPLEX

The turbulence of adolescence is not merely a biological inevitability but also a social construct shaped by educational and cultural expectations.

Instead, an entirely fresh generation may need to navigate adolescence with limited exposure to social media before change happens.

Smithsonian Magazine· 17 Aug 2026

The brain systems involved in planning, impulse control, risk assessment and emotional regulation develop gradually throughout childhood and adolescence .

Phys.org· 17 Aug 2026

From Middle English adolescence, from Old French adolescence, from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscēns (“young”); see adolescent.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin adolēscentia
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated