The term "nonce" in the context of adolescence, especially as depicted in the British miniseries "Adolescence," is a British slang term that means "paedophile" or someone who commits a sexual offense, particularly involving children or minors. The show uses the term to highlight the stigma and social implications surrounding accusations of sexual offenses within the storyline. In the series, the word "nonce" is spray-painted as an act of vandalism and insult, suggesting the heavy social judgment and suspicion faced by the characters involved. The term carries significant weight in British culture, especially concerning crimes related to children, and is used to convey deep social condemnation and ostracism.

In British slang, the word "nonce" is often applied in a derogatory sense to accuse or stigmatize someone suspected or accused of such sexual crimes. In the miniseries "Adolescence," this aspect is used to explore themes around youthful offenders, family stigma, and societal judgment.

To summarize, "nonce" in adolescence when referred to in UK slang means a person (usually an adult) who is accused of sexual abuse or sexual offenses against children. It represents one of the harshest labels a person can be branded with in that cultural context, particularly in relation to youth crime stories like "Adolescence".