pubescent

adjective

pu·​bes·​cent pyü-ˈbe-sᵊnt 

1

a

: arriving at or having reached puberty

b

: of or relating to puberty

2

: covered with fine soft short hairs compare villous

Examples of pubescent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The trailer introduces us to Anxiety, a new, pubescent emotion played by Maya Hawke, who comes bearing news of a bunch of new roommates. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2024

Stemming Psychosis Although most pubescent children sail through this normal maturational process, those at risk of becoming derailed by it need help. —Victoria Costello, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2012

That puts a brake on their pubescent growth spurts, leaving them with shorter adult heights. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2010

There is no trace here of the pubescent figure with noticeable nipples or of the decorative, soft-cheeked cherub. —Farah Peterson, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin pūbēscent-, pūbēscens, present participle of pūbēscere "to reach physical maturity, grow hair on the body, (of fruit) become mature, ripen," inchoative verbal derivative of pūbēs "adult population, group of able-bodied men, age of puberty, pubic region, pubic hair"; (sense 2) borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin — more at pubes

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

pubescent

adjective

pu·​bes·​cent -ᵊnt 

1

: arriving at or having reached puberty

2

: of or relating to puberty