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

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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"I finished high school there and spent some formative years making lifelong family friends, so I couldn't pass the opportunity to blend both of my lives now I am more of a grown-up," she says.

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If this continues on another week or two, the bottom line is Americans are being hurt, American citizens are being affected by this and somebody needs to do something to be the grown-up in the group.

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At the announcement in early July, Starmer said the plan was a "product of months of grown-up diplomacy" which would "deliver real results".

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Chuck E. Cheese is all grown-up.

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