kidult

American  

[ki-duhlt] / kɪˈdʌlt /

noun

Informal.

1. adultescent.

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kidult British  

/ ˈkɪdʌlt /

noun

1. an adult who is interested in forms of entertainment such as computer games, television programmes, etc that are intended for children

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adjective

1. aimed at or suitable for kidults, or both children and adults

Etymology

Origin of kidult

First recorded in 1985–90; kid ¹ + (ad)ult

Example Sentences

The kidult market - which is toys and games for those aged over 12 - has been growing, particularly as adults buy toys for themselves.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

So how does Chuck’s Arcade plan to reach the kidult?

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2025

The truth is that the books ushered in the dumb kidult era we’re currently having to endure, with illiteracy rates significantly on the rise for the first time in a century!

From The Guardian • Aug. 17, 2018

Merriam isn’t going that far, but it is posting reader submissions on its Open Dictionary page—planking, kidult, conflict mineral—and adding some of them to the New Words queue.

From Slate • Jan. 12, 2015

"Winnie the Pooh" doesn't look or feel anything like a Pixar movie, and it is specifically not trying to be a "kidult" crossover success, after the fashion of almost every Pixar production.

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2011