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adult
[ uh-duhlt, ad-uhlt ]
noun
- a person who is fully grown or developed or of age.
- a full-grown animal or plant.
- a person who has attained the age of maturity as specified by law.
adjective
- having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature:
an adult person, animal, or plant.
- of, relating to, or befitting adults.
- intended for adults; not suitable for children:
adult entertainment.
verb (used without object)
- 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
- having reached maturity; fully developed
- of or intended for mature people
adult education
- regarded as suitable only for adults, because of being pornographic
adult films and magazines
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Derived Forms
- ˈadulthood, noun
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Other Words From
- a·dult·hood noun
- a·dult·like adjective
- a·dult·ly adverb
- a·dult·ness noun
- non·a·dult adjective noun
- qua·si-a·dult adjective
- sub·a·dult adjective noun
- sub·a·dult·ness noun
- un·a·dult adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of adult1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of adult1
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Example Sentences
Lundberg also touted recent innovations like the chocolate-covered Chocolate Thin Snackers and Organic Rice Cake Minis, a bite-sized version of the original product geared toward adults and kids crunching on the go.
Those impressions were made by herds of juvenile and adult animals, the scientists say.
A rear bench seat fits two adults or children, with three-point seat belts and rated LATCH child-seat attachments.
That means a family could link watches for a child or older adult to a parent’s iPhone.
Among adults age 18 to 24, 62% oppose the executive order to force a sale of TikTok.
Jones is a veteran of another beloved-yet-controversial animated series on Adult Swim, The Boondocks.
As of 2013, Jews make up 1.8 to 2.2 percent of the adult U.S. population.
Another side of Spider-Man that might be interesting to explore in a reboot is seeing him as an adult.
I was under the impression that “girls” is a demeaning term for adult women.
It might feel fresh to see Peter Parker juggling with adult issues.
Few persons can attain to adult life without being profoundly impressed by the appalling inequalities of our human lot.
But between the phase of schooling and the phase of adult learning there is an intermediate stage.
And this college course I have sketched should, in the modern state, pass insensibly into adult mental activities.
It stands very much in the way of that universal adult education which is our present concern.
Not more than one adult worker in ten—so at least it might with confidence be estimated—is employed on necessary things.
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More About Adult
What does adult mean?
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 adult 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 ... ?
What are some other forms of adult?
What are some synonyms for adult?
What are some other forms related to adult?
What are some words that often get used in discussing adult?
How is adult used 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.
Me: I am a responsible, functioning adult.
Also Me: *sometimes forgets I’m driving while I’m driving*
— Katie Didn't (@Pork_Chop_Hair) November 30, 2020
i hate being an adult why am i getting emotionally attached to furniture i can't afford
— hatsune mitski (zeph) (@zephanijong) December 1, 2020
Your childhood punishments actually become your adult goals #OnceYouHitACertainAge pic.twitter.com/a1DvCT8DNN
— Karmin (@beingkarmin) March 8, 2023
Try using adult!
True or False?
An adult animal is an animal that is not yet fully developed.
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