Adolescence /ˌæd

close /kləʊs/ /kloʊs/ adjective RELATIONSHIP
1. having direct family connections or shared beliefs, support and sympathy
There weren't many people at the funeral - just close family/relatives .
They're a worrying political party because of their close links/ties with terrorist groups.
In those early months, there's a very close bond between mother and child.
a close community
2. describes people who know each other very well and like each other a lot, or who see and talk to each other a lot
Mira is one of my closest friends .
Her relationship isn't good with her father, but she's very close to her mother.
My brother and I have become much closer over the years.


close-knit /ˌkləʊsˈnɪt/ /ˌkloʊs-/ adjective
describes a group of people in which everyone helps and supports each other
a close-knit family/community
maternal /məˈtɜː.n ə l/ /-ˈtɝː-/ adjective
1. behaving or feeling in the way that a mother does towards her child, especially in a kind, loving way
maternal instincts
She is very maternal towards her staff.
Compare paternal
2. related to a mother's side of the family
Her maternal grandmother (= mother's mother) is still alive.
parental /pəˈren.t ə l/ /-t ̬ ə l/ adjective
connected with parents or with being a parent
parental advice/influence
The government repeatedly stressed its support for parental choice in the selection of a child's school.
rewarding /rɪˈwɔː.dɪŋ/ /-ˈwɔːr-/ adjective
giving a reward, especially by making you feel satisfied that you have done something important or useful, or done something well
Is it a rewarding job?
Textbook writing can be an intellectually and financially rewarding activity.
stable /ˈsteɪ.bl ̩/ adjective
1. firmly fixed or not likely to move or change
If the foundations of the house aren't stable, collapse is possible.
After several part-time jobs, he's now got a stable job in a bank.
The hospital said she was in a stable condition (= not likely to get worse) following the operation.
2. describes someone who is mentally healthy
She seems more stable these days.
3. specialized describes a substance that keeps the same chemical or atomic state