puberty: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal; common in biological, medical, psychological, and general educational contexts.
Quick answer
What does “puberty” mean?
The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction; marked by physical and hormonal changes.
A developmental transition from childhood to adulthood, encompassing biological, emotional, and social changes. Also used metaphorically for a period of initial growth or awakening.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. British English may use 'public school' context more often in examples; American English more likely in broader 'middle school/high school' discourse.
Connotations
Equally clinical/biological in formal contexts. In informal talk, both might use euphemisms or slang ('the changes', 'when you start developing').
Frequency
Similar frequency. Possibly slightly higher in US due to more frequent public discourse on teen issues.
Grammar
How to Use “puberty” in a Sentence
N enters pubertyN reaches pubertyN is going through pubertythe onset of pubertypuberty in NVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “puberty” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form; concept expressed periphrastically)
American English
- (No standard verb form; concept expressed periphrastically)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as a standard adverb)
American English
- (Not used as a standard adverb)
adjective
British English
- pubertal changes
- pre-pubertal child
American English
- pubertal development
- post-pubertal growth
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in HR/benefits contexts discussing parental leave for teens, or marketing to adolescent demographics.
Academic
Very common in biology, medicine, psychology, sociology, and education papers discussing human development.
Everyday
Common in discussions among parents, educators, and healthcare providers. Used by teenagers themselves, often informally.
Technical
Precise term in endocrinology, pediatrics, and developmental psychology, with specific criteria (Tanner stages).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “puberty”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “puberty”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “puberty”
- Incorrect: 'He is in the puberty.' Correct: 'He is going through puberty.' / 'He has reached puberty.'
- Confusing 'puberty' (biological) with 'adolescence' (bio-psycho-social).
- Misspelling as 'puperty' or 'puberthy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Puberty refers specifically to the biological and physical changes leading to sexual maturity. Adolescence is a broader term encompassing the psychological, social, and emotional transition from childhood to adulthood, of which puberty is a part.
It varies, but typically between 8-13 years in girls and 9-14 years in boys. The average is around 10-11 for girls and 11-12 for boys.
It is a standard, neutral term. It is appropriate in both formal/medical contexts and everyday conversation, though informal synonyms or euphemisms are also common in casual speech.
Yes, it is technically correct for other mammals (e.g., 'The calf reached puberty'), though in veterinary or zoological contexts, terms like 'sexual maturity' are often preferred.
The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.
Puberty: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpjuːbəti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpjuːbərti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rites of passage (related concept)”
- “Awkward age”
- “Late bloomer”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PUBE-rty' – the stage when PUBE-rty hair starts to grow. (Note: This is a direct mnemonic link to a primary physical change.)
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBERTY IS A JOURNEY/TRANSITION ('go through puberty', 'reach puberty'); PUBERTY IS AWKWARDNESS ('awkward stage'); PUBERTY IS A STORM ('raging hormones').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is MOST specifically related to the biological process of becoming capable of reproduction?