adolescence, bond, caregiver, relative, sibling: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Intermediate set 69. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. adolescence · noun/ˌædlˈɛs(ə)ns/

   the period between childhood and adulthood

   Adolescence is a time of rapid physical growth, and so eating healthily is especially important.

   Synonyms: teenage years

   Origin: late Middle English: from French, from Latin adolescentia, from adolescere ‘grow to maturity’ (see adolescent)

2. bond · noun/bɑnd/

   a strong feeling of friendship or love that connects people

   During the early months of childhood, a strong bond needs to be developed between the parents and the baby.

   Synonyms: connection, attachment, tie

   Origin: Middle English: variant of band

3. caregiver · noun/ˈkɛrˌɡɪvər/

   a person who takes care of children

   The caregiver is responsible for making sure the child attends school.

   Synonyms: babysitter, nanny, guardian

4. relative · noun/ˈrɛlədɪv/

   a member of your family, by birth or by marriage

   Most of my relatives live in the same city, so we see each other every weekend.

   Synonyms: relation, kin

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French relatif, -ive, from late Latin relativus ‘having reference or relation’ (see relate)

5. sibling · noun/ˈsɪblɪŋ/

   your brother or sister

   My sister is my only sibling, and we have always been very close.

   Synonyms: brother, sister

   Origin: Old English sibling, in the sense ‘relative’ (see sib, -ling). The current sense dates from the early 20th century