grown-up

[grohn-uhp]

adjective

1. having reached the age of maturity.

2. characteristic of or suitable for adults.

   grown-up behavior; grown-up fiction.

grown-up

adjective

1. having reached maturity; adult

2. suitable for or characteristic of an adult

noun

1. an adult

Other Word Forms

• grown-upness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grown-up¹

First recorded in 1625–35; adj. use of verb phrase grow up

Example Sentences

Today, its grown-up offerings include everything from a $1,000 Death Star to more living-room-friendly items, including flowers and holiday decor.

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The economy is great for parents, but lousy for their grown-up kids.

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For the former “John Wick” and “Fall Guy” fight coordinator, putting grown-up Short Round through his paces was an unvoiced desire that was finally realized.

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“Studios aren’t really making traditional, grown-up dramas and the academy can only nominate what’s in front of them. Horror is being produced at a rate that is greater than it used to be, and at least two of these Warner movies really landed with audiences and critics. The genre is attracting some of our top filmmakers right now, and that’s something that will trickle down to the Oscars.”

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Embrace those same fuzzy feelings, but in a grown-up style, with Burberry’s shearling scarf in a deep ruby red perfect for fall.

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