Definition

Noun: 1. The transitional period of physical and psychological development between childhood and adulthood: This period begins with the onset of puberty and ends with the attainment of adult status, typically characterized by significant growth, identity formation, and increased independence. 2. The state or condition of being an adolescent: Refers to the specific phase of life someone is in during this developmental transition.

Usage

The word "adolescence" is an uncountable noun. It refers to the entire period or state, not a single event or a countable number of periods. * It is commonly used with prepositions like in, during, and through. * It often appears in contexts related to psychology, education, health, and sociology.

Examples

• General Use:
  • The challenges of adolescence can be difficult for both teenagers and their parents.
  • She spent her adolescence in a small coastal town.
• With Prepositions:
  • He struggled with self-confidence in his adolescence.
  • Many important social skills are developed during adolescence.
  • The body goes through many changes throughout adolescence.

Advanced Usage

• Extended Adolescence: A sociological term describing a prolonged period of adolescence in modern societies, often extending into the mid-20s due to factors like extended education and delayed financial independence.
  • The concept of extended adolescence is common in discussions about modern economic pressures on young adults.
• "The turmoil of adolescence": A common phrase highlighting the emotional and psychological instability often associated with this life stage.
  • The novel beautifully captures the turmoil of adolescence.

Variants and Related Words

• Adolescent (noun): A young person who is in the stage of adolescence; a teenager.
  • The program is designed for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18.
• Adolescent (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of adolescence.
  • She displayed typical adolescent behavior, seeking more privacy and independence.
• Adolescency (noun): A less common, formal synonym for adolescence.

Synonyms

• Teenage years: The period when someone is aged 13 to 19.
• Youth: A more general term for the early part of life, which can include late childhood and adolescence.
• Puberty: Specifically refers to the physical process of sexual maturation that initiates adolescence, not the entire period.

Antonyms

• Childhood: The period of life before puberty.
• Adulthood: The period of life after adolescence, characterized by full physical growth and mature social responsibility.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Identity crisis: A period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of identity becomes insecure, often occurring during adolescence.
  • Experiencing an identity crisis is a common part of adolescence.
• Coming of age: The transition from childhood to adulthood, often marked by a specific ritual or event.
  • The story is a classic coming-of-age tale set during the character's adolescence.

Noun

1. in the state that someone is in between puberty and adulthood
2. the time period between the beginning of puberty and adulthood