What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
teen
Example
My sister is a teen, she just turned 16. [teen: noun]
Example
Teenagers often struggle with finding their identity. [teenagers: plural noun]
Example
The movie is targeted towards a teen audience. [teen: adjective]
adolescent
Example
Adolescents often experience mood swings due to hormonal changes. [adolescents: plural noun]
Example
The book explores the challenges of adolescence. [adolescence: noun]
Example
The program provides support for adolescent mental health. [adolescent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Teen is more commonly used in everyday language, especially in informal contexts such as social media and pop culture. Adolescent is more commonly used in academic and professional contexts, such as psychology and education.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between teen and adolescent?
Adolescent is more formal and academic than teen, making it more appropriate for professional and academic contexts. However, teen is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it more suitable for everyday language use.
