Adolescence Meaning
/ˌædəˈlɛsəns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe transitional period of physical and psychological development between childhood and maturity, beginning at the onset of puberty and with an endpoint defined either legally (at the age of majority, such as 18 in many jurisdictions) or psychocognitively (at various ages, depending on individual experience).
Sentence Examples
That very tune reminded me of my adolescence.
I cannot look back on my adolescence without feeling depressed.
CEFR Practice Quiz
During ____, many teenagers experience rapid physical and emotional changes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ is a time of great physical and emotional change for young people.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English adolescence, from Old French adolescence, from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscēns (“young”); see adolescent.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"So lawyers started filing separate asylum requests for the children, arguing that reintegrating in countries they barely knew, after spending their childhood or adolescence in Belgium, would not only be impossible but would expose them to serious risks."
— 2020 August 5, Francesca Spinelli, “Meet David: born in France, raised in Belgium, facing removal to the DRC”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 05 Jan 2021:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
During ____, many teenagers experience rapid physical and emotional changes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ is a time of great physical and emotional change for young people.