What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
young
Example
The young boy was excited to start his first day of school. [young: adjective]
Example
She has a young puppy that loves to play. [young: adjective]
Example
He's still young and has a lot to learn. [young: adjective]
adolescent
Example
Her adolescent son is going through a rebellious phase. [adolescent: adjective]
Example
The book explores the challenges of adolescent development. [adolescent: noun]
Example
He's an adolescent with a lot of potential. [adolescent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Young is a more common word than adolescent and is used in a wider range of contexts, including informal and everyday language. Adolescent is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between young and adolescent?
Adolescent is a more formal word than young and is typically used in academic or professional settings to describe the stage of development between childhood and adulthood. Young is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
