What does "puberty" mean?
A developmental phase brought about by the action of hormones as part of the maturing process. For humans, there are three in total.
Puberty
/ˈpjuː.bə.ti/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A developmental phase brought about by the action of hormones as part of the maturing process. For humans, there are three in total.
- Grammar: puberty is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: pubescence, adolescent development, childhood, delayed puberty.
- Useful contrasts: childhood, normal puberty, prepuberty.
- Usage evidence: Girls begin puberty around the ages of ten to eleven, and boys around the ages of eleven to twelve.
How to use "puberty"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "puberty" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "puberty" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "puberty" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "puberty" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "puberty" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "pubescence" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "puberty", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A developmental phase brought about by the action of hormones as part of the maturing process. For humans, there are three in total. countable, uncountable
"Girls undergoing puberty show an increase in the total output of cortisol, which is related to stress, while boys show little increase."
- 2 the time of life when sex glands become functional wordnet
- 3 A developmental phase brought about by the action of hormones as part of the maturing process. For humans, there are three in total.; The process of sexual development that produces secondary sex characteristics and makes a person capable of reproducing sexually. common, countable, uncountable
- 4 The age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction. countable, uncountable
"As shown in Figure 14.4 of the textbook, children reach puberty at different ages in different countries; within those nations, children living in cities tend to reach puberty earlier than those living in rural areas."
- 5 The period when a plant begins to flower. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Girls begin puberty around the ages of ten to eleven, and boys around the ages of eleven to twelve."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "puberty"?
Common synonyms include: pubescence, adolescent development, childhood, delayed puberty, early puberty, greenness.
How do you use "puberty" in a sentence?
Girls begin puberty around the ages of ten to eleven, and boys around the ages of eleven to twelve.
How do you pronounce "puberty"?
Pronounced /ˈpjuː.bə.ti/.
Etymology
From Middle English puberte, from Old French puberté, from Latin pūbertās (“the age of maturity, manhood”).