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View synonyms for

adult

[ uh-duhlt, ad-uhlt ]

noun

  1. a person who is fully grown or developed or of age.
  2. a full-grown animal or plant.
  3. a person who has attained the age of maturity as specified by law.


adjective

  1. having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature:

    an adult person, animal, or plant.

  2. of, relating to, or befitting adults.
  3. intended for adults; not suitable for children:

    adult entertainment.

verb (used without object)

  1. Informal. (of a young person) to do things and assume responsibilities that are associated with being an adult; act like an adult (usually used facetiously about minor accomplishments):

    I cook dinner for myself most nights—guess that means I'm adulting.

adult

/ ˈædʌlt; əˈdʌlt /

adjective

  1. having reached maturity; fully developed
  2. of or intended for mature people

    adult education

  3. regarded as suitable only for adults, because of being pornographic

    adult films and magazines

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person who has attained maturity; a grownup
  2. a mature fully grown animal or plant
  3. law a person who has attained the age of legal majority (18 years for most purposes) Compare infant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܱٳǴǻ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ܱ·Ǵǻ noun
  • ·ܱ· adjective
  • ·ܱ· adverb
  • ·ܱ·Ա noun
  • ԴDz··ܱ adjective noun
  • ܲ·-·ܱ adjective
  • ܲ··ܱ adjective noun
  • sub··ܱ·Ա noun
  • ܲ··ܱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of adult1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin adultus “grown” (past participle of DZŧ “to make grow”), equivalent to ad- ad- + ul- (identical with base al- in aliment ( def ) ) + -tus past participle suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of adult1

C16: from Latin adultus, from DZŧ to grow up, from ŧ to grow, from ŧ to feed, nourish
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Sian McEvoy, 41, spends a few days a week volunteering at a community farm near her home in Swansea, which provides opportunities for adults and young people who face mental health challenges.

From

In practice, people holding onto public office until the day they die denies opportunities to capable young adults and harms the party they serve.

From

In February, 10 people were killed in a shooting at an adult education centre in the Swedish town of Orebro.

From

In those states, Medicaid eligibility was extended to childless adults for the first time.

From

He signed on as camp coordinator, trying to bring order to the confusion around him as thousands of adults and children immersed in resettlement.

From

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More About Adult

doesܱmean?

An adult is a person who is fully grown or developed. This could refer to a person’s body being done growing or their mind being fully developed. An adult child is someone’s child who is fully grown, as in Murray’s adult children are all married and have children of their own.

An adult is also a person who has reached an age that their society says allows them responsibilities and benefits not allowed to children. For example, in the United States someone who is 18 years old is in many cases considered an adult. Eighteen-year-olds can vote, sign a contract, join the military, and other actions children are not allowed to do.

An adult can also be a fully grown or matured plant or animal, as in Once my puppy becomes an adult, I’ll need to get them a bigger crate.

Adult can also be used to describe something related to adults or adulthood, such as adult responsibilities—like paying rent.

Adult can also be used to describe something not suitable for children. Things labeled as adult entertainment, for example, often include explicit sexual content.

Informally, adult can be used as a verb meaning to take on responsibilities usually reserved for adults, such as owning a house. It’s often used humorously to describe small responsibilities, as in Tanya really adulted today by putting away her laundry.

Where does ܱcome from?

The first records of the term adult come from around the 1520s. It comes from the Latin word adultus, meaning “grown.”

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms of adult?

  • adulthood (noun)
  • adultlike (adjective)
  • adultly (adverb)
  • adultness (noun)
  • adulting (adjective, verb)

are some synonyms for adult?

are some other forms related to adult?

are some words that often get used in discussing adult?

How isܱused in real life?

Adult is a very common word used to refer to a fully developed person, animal, or plant. It’s also commonly used to describe something related to adults.

Try usingadult!

True or False?

An adult animal is an animal that is not yet fully developed.

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Adullamiteadult education