coming of age
noun
the point, state, or age at which a person officially becomes an adult.
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coming of age
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coming-of-age
coming-of-ageadjectiveof, relating to, or designating the point or process of reaching adulthood.
coming of age
1 Americannoun
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the point, state, or age at which a person officially becomes an adult.
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the process of becoming an adult.
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the state or process of reaching maturity, acceptance, or readiness.
coming-of-age
2
American
adjective
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of, relating to, or designating the point or process of reaching adulthood.
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of, relating to, or designating the point or process of reaching maturity, acceptance, or readiness.
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
New generations are coming of age with no firsthand memory of Sept. 11 or the world that existed before it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
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
His coming of age occurs when, while fighting for Germany in World War I at the colonial outpost of Tsingtau, in China, he is captured by his adoptive country of Japan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
They are not yet adults, but in that middle stage, late adolescence, coming of age.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
And last but not least, Sebastian Croft, star of the recent Netflix coming-of-age hit Heartstopper, rounds off our list.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
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
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
A story of friendship and power in ancient Rome, a novel of country-club secrets, a summer-camp coming-of-age tale and more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
Would it be contrary to medical ethics in the HeLa cell’s coming-of-age year to authenticate the name and let He .
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
