puberty
/'pju:bəti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction: "Puberty" refers to the stage of physical development when a child's body changes into an adult body, marked by the activation of the sex glands (gonads).
Usage
- Puberty is an uncountable noun used to describe a general developmental stage. It is typically used with prepositions like , , or .
- Example:
Examples
- Noun:
- The onset of puberty varies between individuals.
- Emotional changes are also common in puberty.
- He reached puberty later than most of his classmates.
Advanced Usage
- "to reach puberty": to arrive at the age when puberty begins.
- Most girls reach puberty between the ages of 10 and 14.
- "the onset of puberty": the beginning of puberty.
- The onset of puberty is triggered by hormonal signals from the brain.
Variants and Related Words
- Puberal (adj): Relating to or characteristic of puberty. (Rarely used; "pubertal" is more common).
- Pubertal (adj): Of or pertaining to puberty.
- The study tracked pubertal development over five years.
- Preadolescence / Pre-puberty (n): The stage of development just before puberty.
Synonyms
- Adolescence: The period following puberty, encompassing psychological and social development as well. (Note: "Puberty" is specifically the biological/physical transition, while "adolescence" is broader).
- Pubescence: A more formal or biological term for puberty.
- Sexual maturity: The state of being capable of reproduction, which is the endpoint of puberty.
Related Phrases
- Growth spurt: A period of rapid growth in height and weight, which is a key part of puberty.
- Secondary sex characteristics: Physical features that develop during puberty (e.g., facial hair, breast development) but are not directly part of the reproductive system.
Noun
- the time of life when sex glands become functional