adulthood

American  

[uh-duhlt-hood] / əˈdʌlt hʊd /

noun

1. the state or period of being fully grown, fully developed, or of age.

   My mother raised four children to adulthood.

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Etymology

Origin of adulthood

adult ( def. ) + -hood ( def. )

Explanation

When you stop growing and start shaving, you are in adulthood — a point where you reach maturity. Unfortunately, physical adulthood does not necessarily imply that psychological adulthood is present. Adulthood implies a maturity of sorts, whether it be physical or psychological. In many cultures, adulthood is marked with a “coming of age” ritual. In Judaism for example, adulthood is marked by the Bat Mitzvah for girls (age 12) and the Bar Mitzvah for boys (age 13) — in which the girl or boy is considered to have reached adulthood within the community.

Example Sentences

Researchers found that unhealthy diets early in life disrupted brain pathways linked to feeding behavior, with effects continuing into adulthood.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

"Millions of young people who work hard and do the right thing cannot see path to home ownership or security," he said, adding this means many are "postponing adulthood".

From BBC • May 20, 2026

As people navigate adulthood and personal growth cycles, challenging habits and shedding old identities, there are a few underlying questions: Who am I, really?

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

The NBC sitcom, which followed the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood, dating and careers, drew a massive following and made megastars of previously unknown actors.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

I would be well into adulthood before I discovered that the issue wasn’t that he was slow.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• boldness
• bravery
• courage
• fortitude
• masculinity
• mettle
• nobility
• potency
• virility