| English Dictionary |
PUBESCENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Dictionary entry overview: What does pubescent mean?
• PUBESCENT (adjective)
The adjective PUBESCENT has 2 senses:
1. (of animals especially human beings) having arrived at the onset of puberty (the age at which sex glands become functional) but not yet fully mature
2. covered with fine soft hairs or down
Familiarity information: PUBESCENT used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
(of animals especially human beings) having arrived at the onset of puberty (the age at which sex glands become functional) but not yet fully mature
Context example:
the budding breasts of a pubescent girl and the downy chin of pubescent boy
Similar:
immature (not yet mature)
Derivation:
pubescence (the time of life when sex glands become functional)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Covered with fine soft hairs or down
Synonyms:
downy; puberulent; pubescent; sericeous
Context example:
downy milkweed seeds
Similar:
haired; hairy; hirsute (having or covered with hair)
Domain category:
biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, Wisdom is of the future." (Native American proverb, Lumbee)
"Do good and throw it in sea." (Arabic proverb)
"The word goes out but the message is lost." (Corsican proverb)