Word
pubescent
UK/pjuːbˈɛsənt/
Definition
adj. going through puberty, when a child's body starts to change into an adult's body.
adj. undergoing puberty; developing from childhood toward sexual maturity. Typically describes children roughly between the ages of 10 and 15.
Examples
“The pubescent boy suddenly grows taller every month.”
“The school nurse talks to pubescent students about the physical changes they will experience.”
“The novel captures the restless inner life of its pubescent heroine, caught between childhood habits and adult desires she does not yet understand.”
Examples
simple
“The pubescent boy suddenly grows taller every month.”
contextual
“The school nurse talks to pubescent students about the physical changes they will experience.”
complex
“The novel captures the restless inner life of its pubescent heroine, caught between childhood habits and adult desires she does not yet understand.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pubescent” in context.
Verb
01. become pubescent
“Most children become pubescent between the ages of ten and fourteen.”
verb + adj
02. describe as pubescent
“The doctor described the patient as pubescent based on hormonal changes.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
03. barely pubescent
“The study focused on barely pubescent boys aged eleven to thirteen.”
adv + adj
04. early pubescent
“Early pubescent children often experience rapid growth and mood swings.”
adv + adj
05. newly pubescent
“Newly pubescent teenagers may feel self-conscious about physical changes.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. pubescent body
“Hormonal surges transform the pubescent body in a short period.”
adj + noun
07. pubescent boy
“The pubescent boy struggled with sudden growth spurts and voice changes.”
adj + noun
08. pubescent brain
“Researchers studied how hormones affect the pubescent brain.”
adj + noun
09. pubescent child
“Parents should support a pubescent child through physical and emotional shifts.”
adj + noun
10. a barely pubescent girl
“The novel portrays a barely pubescent girl navigating adolescence.”
11. an early pubescent boy
“An early pubescent boy may need reassurance about rapid physical changes.”
12. become pubescent around twelve
“Girls typically become pubescent around twelve, though timing varies.”
Etymology
From Middle French pubescent, from Latin pubescens (“to become hairy, downy, or an adult”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pubescent