puberty
PYOO-ber-tee
/ˈpjuːbərti/
The period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.
Refers specifically to the biological and hormonal changes of the body.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'puber', meaning 'adult' or 'grown up'. In ancient Rome, the 'toga virilis' was given to boys when they reached this stage to signify they were now men.
Word relationships
- adolescence: 'Adolescence' is the whole social/psychological period; 'puberty' is the specific biological event.
Commonly confused with
- adolescence: Puberty is the physical change; adolescence is the social and psychological transition.
Word family
- pubescent (adjective): Relating to or undergoing puberty.
Collocations
- onset of puberty
- reach puberty
- delayed puberty
Example sentences
- "Puberty is triggered by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads." Biology
- "The health curriculum includes a detailed explanation of the changes that occur during puberty." Education
Memory hook
Puberty... Pure-body-change. Biological beginning.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe social maturity; it is strictly biological.
Fun facts
- The age of the onset of puberty has been steadily decreasing in many developed countries over the last century, likely due to changes in nutrition.
Related words
Explore more words
adolescence, maturation, precocious, fertility, replication, heredity
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