adolescence

Everyday

1. The time of life between being a child and being an adult, roughly the teenage years. tree →
2. An early stage of growth of something, like a country or an idea. tree →

In the lessons

Used in health and science lessons about growing up and puberty, and in stories about teenagers. Phrases: «in adolescence», «during adolescence», «early adolescence».

Examples

• Adolescence is when children grow into adults. tree →
• Many changes happen to the body during adolescence. tree →
• My uncle says adolescence was his noisiest time. tree →
• The book follows a girl through her adolescence. tree →
• In early adolescence, sleep needs stay high. tree →
• Our health lesson talked about feelings in adolescence. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Person: an adolescent. Spelling trap: «sc» in the middle — adole-SC-ence. Starts at about 10–13 and ends at about 18–19 or later.