adjective
pubescent
pyoo-BES-unt/pjuːˈbesnt/
Undergoing or having reached sexual maturity.
The pubescent girl stands beside a growth chart and her outgrown shoes.
Etymology
Latin pubescere describes growing into maturity rather than simply being fully grown. Its participial form captures the ongoing transition, fitting someone beginning or undergoing the physical changes of puberty.
More examples
- Her research tracks changes in sleep among pubescent teenagers.
- The doctor explains why pubescent boys may experience voice changes.
- Growth rates vary widely among pubescent girls.
Forms
pubescence noun — The stage of developing sexual maturity.
Similar words
- adolescent
- Describes the broader transition from childhood to adulthood.
- mature
- Indicates completed development rather than the process of reaching it.