adolescent

Pronunciation: /ˌæd.əˈlɛs.ənt/

The English word “adolescent” has 2 meanings listed here.

adjective

Of, relating to, or at the age of adolescence; at the stage between being a child and an adult.

noun

A person who is in adolescence; someone who has reached puberty but is not yet an adult.

Etymology

First attested ?1440, from Middle English adolescent, from Middle French adolescent or directly from Latin adolescentem, accusative form of adolescens, present participle of adolēscere (“to become adult, grow up”), from ad- (“to”) + alēscere (“to grow or become nourished”). The adjective first appeared in 1785.

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