preadult

[pree-uh-duhlt, pree-ad-uhlt]

adjective

1. of or relating to the period prior to adulthood.

   preadult strivings for independence.

Other Word Forms

• preadulthood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of preadult¹

First recorded in 1900–05; pre- + adult

Example Sentences

When those have involved a hearing character and a deaf one, the results have been far pithier than is normal for preadult dramas, cutting to the heart of what communication is and how much we can learn about another person without words.

From New York Times

Barely a week passes without a flash bulletin blinding us with news of another prominent preadult who is in the family way or showing off her underthings.

From Time Magazine Archive