This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adult
[ uh-duhlt, ad-uhlt ]
/ əˈdʌlt, ˈæd ʌlt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
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
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.
VIDEO FOR ADULT
We Asked: What Does It Mean To Be An "Adult"?
Should we be using "adulting" instead of the word "adult" these days?
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!
Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between "it’s" and "its" in this crafty quiz!
Question 1 of 8
On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.
Origin of adult
OTHER WORDS FROM adult
Words nearby adult
adularia, adulate, adulation, adulatory, Adullamite, adult, adult education, adulterant, adulterate, adulteration, adulterer
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use adult in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for adult
adult
/ (ˈædʌlt, əˈdʌlt) /
adjective
having reached maturity; fully developed
of or intended for mature peopleadult education
regarded as suitable only for adults, because of being pornographicadult films and magazines
noun
a person who has attained maturity; a grownup
a mature fully grown animal or plant
Derived forms of adult
adulthood, nounWord Origin for adult
C16: from Latin adultus, from adolēscere to grow up, from alēscere to grow, from alēre to feed, nourish
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
Medical definitions for adult
adult
[ ə-dŭlt′, ăd′ŭlt ]
n.
One who has attained maturity or legal age.
A fully grown, mature organism.
adj.
Fully developed and mature.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.