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noun Uncommon

puberty

PYOO-buh-tee

Puberty (noun) means the stage of development, driven by hormones, during which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction. Example: “Puberty usually starts sometime between the ages of 9 and 14.”

noun
1
The stage of development, driven by hormones, during which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction.
"Puberty usually starts sometime between the ages of 9 and 14."
"Growth spurts and voice changes are common signs of puberty in boys."

How to use puberty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe period when a child's body changes into an adult body, driven by hormones.

Common pairings
go through puberty hit puberty onset of puberty

Word forms

puberties plural

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Fill the gap

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_____ usually starts sometime between the ages of 9 and 14.

Etymology

From Old French puberté, from Latin pubertas ("the age of maturity").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for puberty

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Frequently asked questions

What does “puberty” mean?

The word “puberty” means the stage of development, driven by hormones, during which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction. In plain terms, the period when a child's body changes into an adult body, driven by hormones.

How do you pronounce “puberty”?

“Puberty” is pronounced PYOO-buh-tee (/ˈpju.bɚ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “puberty” in a sentence?

Here is “puberty” used in a sentence: “Puberty usually starts sometime between the ages of 9 and 14.”

What part of speech is “puberty”?

“Puberty” is a noun.

Where does the word “puberty” come from?

The word “puberty” comes from Latin. From Old French puberté, from Latin pubertas ("the age of maturity").

Is “puberty” a common word?

“Puberty” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial