adolescent

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
  2. adjective relating to or peculiar to or suggestive of an adolescent
  3. adjective being of the age 13 through 19

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

stripling, teenager, teen

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