How to pronounce adolescence
Say it like ad-uh-LES-uns. Adolescence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce adolescence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ad
- uh
- LES
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adolescence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- adGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of adolescence
American and British speakers say adolescence in essentially the same way: /ˌædəˈlɛsəns/ in the US and /ˌædəˈlɛsəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: ad-uh-LES-uns.
What does adolescence mean?
- The transitional period of physical and psychological development between childhood and maturity, beginning at the onset of puberty and with an endpoint defined either legally (at the age of majority, such as 18 in many jurisdictions) or psychocognitively (at various ages, depending on individual ex“During adolescence, the body and mind go through many complex changes, some of which are difficult to deal with.”
Where does adolescence come from?
From Middle English adolescence, from Old French adolescence, from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscēns (“young”); see adolescent.
Words that rhyme with adolescence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of adolescence.
- essence
- fluorescence
- obsolescence
- inflorescence
- luminescence
- senescence
- acquiescence
- convalescence
- evanescence
- quintessence
Questions about saying adolescence
How do you pronounce adolescence?
Say ad-uh-LES-uns. The American pronunciation is /ˌædəˈlɛsəns/. In British English it is /ˌædəˈlɛsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adolescence?
Adolescence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LES). Broken into parts: ad · uh · LES · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say adolescence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌædəˈlɛsəns/ and the British form is /ˌædəˈlɛsəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.