How Do You Spell ADOLESCENT?

Pronunciation: [ˌadəlˈɛsənt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "adolescent" can be tricky, as it involves a few sounds that don't have consistent phonetic representations in English. The first syllable is pronounced /ædəl/, with a short "a" sound followed by the unstressed schwa sound. The second syllable has the stressed "es" sound, pronounced as /ɛs/. The final syllable is pronounced /ənt/, with the unstressed schwa sound followed by the "nt" sound. Properly spelling "adolescent" is essential for clear communication in both written and spoken language.

ADOLESCENT Meaning and Definition

  1. Adolescent refers to the stage of development that occurs between childhood and adulthood, typically encompassing the teenage years. This period is characterized by rapid physical, psychological, and emotional changes as individuals transition from childhood to maturity. Adolescence is commonly marked by the onset of puberty, with significant hormonal and physiological changes accompanying the growth spurt.

    In terms of physical changes, adolescents usually experience the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as the enlargement of breasts in females and facial hair growth in males. There is also a considerable increase in height and weight during this phase of life.

    Psychologically, adolescents often undergo a period of self-discovery, establishing their identity and forming a sense of self. They may face increased autonomy and decision-making responsibilities, as well as navigating social interactions and peer relationships in various contexts such as school or extracurricular activities.

    Emotionally, adolescence is a time of heightened emotions, mood swings, and the exploration of romantic and sexual feelings. The brain undergoes significant restructuring during this period, affecting cognitive processes, emotions, and risk-taking behaviors.

    Overall, the adolescent stage presents both challenges and opportunities for personal growth. It is a critical time for individuals to develop their autonomy, explore personal interests, and establish a solid foundation for their future adult lives.

  2. 1. Youthful, growing up, between puberty and the attainment of full growth. 2. A youth, a young man or woman not yet full grown.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Growing; pertaining to youth.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ADOLESCENT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ADOLESCENT

Etymology of ADOLESCENT

The word adolescent comes from the Latin term adolescens which means growing up or adolescing. This term is derived from the verb adolescere, meaning to grow up or to become mature.

Similar spelling words for ADOLESCENT

Plural form of ADOLESCENT is ADOLESCENTS

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