Adolescence /ˌæd

apply /əˈplaɪ/ verb USE
3. [ T ] to make use of something or use it for a practical purpose
He wants a job in which he can apply his foreign languages.
The court heard how the driver had failed to apply his brakes in time.
If you apply pressure to a cut it's meant to stop the bleeding.
compete /kəmˈpiːt/ verb [ I ]
1. to try to be more successful than someone or something else
It's difficult for a small supermarket to compete against/with the big supermarkets.
Both girls compete for their father's attention.
figurative Turn the music down - I'm not competing against/with that noise (= I can't/won't try to speak louder than that music) !
2. to take part in a race or competition
Are you competing in the 100 metres?
The two athletes are competing for the gold medal.
earn /ɜːn/ /ɝːn/ verb [ I or T ]
1. to receive money as payment for work that you do
I earn $30 000 a year. How much do you earn, if you don't mind me asking?
You can't expect to earn a living (= be paid enough money to live on) from your painting.
[ + two objects ] Coffee exports earn (= give) Brazil many millions of pounds a year./Brazil earns many millions of pounds a year from coffee exports.
2. to get something that you deserve
It's been a tough six months and I feel I've earned a few weeks off. See also well-earned