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• coming of age
  coming of age

  noun

  the point, state, or age at which a person officially becomes an adult.
• coming-of-age
  coming-of-age

  adjective

  of, relating to, or designating the point or process of reaching adulthood.

coming of age

¹ American  

noun

1. the point, state, or age at which a person officially becomes an adult.

2. the process of becoming an adult.

3. the state or process of reaching maturity, acceptance, or readiness.

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coming-of-age ² American  

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating the point or process of reaching adulthood.

2. of, relating to, or designating the point or process of reaching maturity, acceptance, or readiness.

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Other Word Forms

• coming-of-age
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

coming of age coming-of-age

Despite facing notable challenges and coming of age in a culture infected by “big woe,” or an onslaught of despairing information, Moore believes there is still reason for young people to be optimistic.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

The coming of age story, Mountain, directed by Celyn Jones, was filmed in his home town of Holyhead, on Anglesey.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

She compared her own freewheeling youth to that of her Gen Z children, whose “third spaces” are largely online and who are coming of age under mass social-media surveillance—the ultimate buzzkill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Four years after being catapulted into global stardom, the pair are bidding a bittersweet farewell to the roles that have defined their own coming of age.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

History’s eyes and coming of age in their young nation and making a million mistakes.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

As a director, his output included classic films like 1984's rock music mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," fantasy gem "The Princess Bride" from 1987 and seminal coming-of-age movie "Stand By Me."

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

They originally starred in three seasons of the popular coming-of-age sitcom, which aired on E4 between 2008 and 2010.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

If you’re in the mood for a coming-of-age drama, the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony is “is a perfect little movie,” according to Dana Stevens.

From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2026

Chang-rae Lee evokes the summer-camp experience of the 1970s in this coming-of-age story.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

Matt was annoyed that the two seemed to have forgotten it was his party, his coming-of-age.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer