What does adolescent mean?
An adolescent is a young person making the transition from childhood to adulthood, generally understood to span the ages of about ten to nineteen. The word also functions as an adjective, describing anything relating to this stage of development — as in 'adolescent years' or 'adolescent behaviour' — and it can be used figuratively to characterise adult conduct as immature or teenage-like. More formal and precise than 'teenager', which strictly denotes those aged thirteen to nineteen, 'adolescent' is the preferred term in medical, psychological, and educational writing because it encompasses early puberty and carries no informal connotations. It derives from the Latin verb adolescere, meaning 'to grow up' or 'to grow to maturity', a root it shares with 'adult'. The corresponding abstract noun, adolescence, names the developmental stage itself rather than the person experiencing it. Whether describing a fourteen-year-old navigating school and identity, or gently mocking an adult's sulky mood, the word captures that distinctive, in-between phase of human growth.
A young person who is developing from a child into an adult, typically between the ages of about 10 and 19.
"The programme provides mentoring for at-risk adolescents in the community."
Preferred over 'teenager' in formal, medical, and academic contexts because it covers a wider age range.
Relating to or characteristic of adolescence; also, figuratively, behaving in an immature manner typical of teenagers.
"She showed remarkable maturity despite her adolescent years."
The figurative sense ('adolescent humour') often carries a mildly critical tone.
Standard English plural; used when referring to multiple young people in this age group.
"Adolescents today face pressures their parents never encountered."
The word 'adolescent' comes from Latin adolescere — 'to grow up' — so every teenager is literally 'one who is growing.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adolescent
Adolescent comes from the Latin adolescere, meaning 'to grow up' or 'to come to maturity', formed from ad- ('towards') plus a root related to alere ('to nourish'). The word entered English via French in the late Middle Ages, initially used chiefly as an adjective before becoming established as a noun for a young person approaching adulthood. It shares its ultimate root with 'adult', from the past participle of the same Latin verb, making the two words true etymological siblings: one names the person still growing, the other the person fully grown.
Related word forms
How adolescent is actually used
In formal and clinical contexts (medicine, psychology, education), 'adolescent' is preferred over 'teenager' because it covers a broader age range and carries no slang connotations. When used figuratively of adult behaviour ('adolescent humour'), it can be mildly critical, implying immaturity.
Easily confused with adolescent
'Adolescent' refers to the young person themselves (or describes something relating to that stage), while 'adolescence' is the abstract noun naming the stage of life itself.