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adult
[ uh-duhlt, ad-uhlt ]
noun
- a person who is fully grown or developed or of age.
- a full-grown animal or plant.
- a person who has attained the age of maturity as specified by law.
adjective
- having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature:
an adult person, animal, or plant.
- of, relating to, or befitting adults.
- intended for adults; not suitable for children:
adult entertainment.
verb (used without object)
- Informal. (of a young person) to do things and assume responsibilities that are associated with being an adult; act like an adult (usually used facetiously about minor accomplishments):
I cook dinner for myself most nights—guess that means I'm adulting.
adult
/ ˈædʌlt; əˈdʌlt /
adjective
- having reached maturity; fully developed
- of or intended for mature people
adult education
- regarded as suitable only for adults, because of being pornographic
adult films and magazines
noun
- a person who has attained maturity; a grownup
- a mature fully grown animal or plant
- law a person who has attained the age of legal majority (18 years for most purposes) Compare infant
Derived Forms
- ˈܱٳǴǻ, noun
Other Word Forms
- ·ܱ·Ǵǻ noun
- ·ܱ· adjective
- ·ܱ· adverb
- ·ܱ·Ա noun
- ԴDz··ܱ adjective noun
- ܲ·-·ܱ adjective
- ܲ··ܱ adjective noun
- sub··ܱ·Ա noun
- ܲ··ܱ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of adult1
Word History and Origins
Origin of adult1
Example Sentences
The reality TV star on the show, which is about a group of autistic adults' experiences dating, said Kennedy's comments were "completely false".
"Jason is an adult now and we are in our 70s, so his behaviour could be quite dangerous for us if he lived with us - we couldn't look after him."
The scheme could be in place by 2027, and will cover adults who have lived on the island for five years and are expected to die within 12 months.
This is particularly problematic because by the age of three, a child's brain has grown to 80% of its adult size.
In 2023, the previous Conservative government passed the Online Safety Act, which aims to make social media firms and search engines protect children and adults in the UK from illegal, harmful material.
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More About Adult
doesܱmean?
An adult is a person who is fully grown or developed. This could refer to a person’s body being done growing or their mind being fully developed. An adult child is someone’s child who is fully grown, as in Murray’s adult children are all married and have children of their own.
An adult is also a person who has reached an age that their society says allows them responsibilities and benefits not allowed to children. For example, in the United States someone who is 18 years old is in many cases considered an adult. Eighteen-year-olds can vote, sign a contract, join the military, and other actions children are not allowed to do.
An adult can also be a fully grown or matured plant or animal, as in Once my puppy becomes an adult, I’ll need to get them a bigger crate.
Adult can also be used to describe something related to adults or adulthood, such as adult responsibilities—like paying rent.
Adult can also be used to describe something not suitable for children. Things labeled as adult entertainment, for example, often include explicit sexual content.
Informally, adult can be used as a verb meaning to take on responsibilities usually reserved for adults, such as owning a house. It’s often used humorously to describe small responsibilities, as in Tanya really adulted today by putting away her laundry.
Where does ܱcome from?
The first records of the term adult come from around the 1520s. It comes from the Latin word adultus, meaning “grown.”
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms of adult?
are some synonyms for adult?
are some other forms related to adult?
are some words that often get used in discussing adult?
How isܱused in real life?
Adult is a very common word used to refer to a fully developed person, animal, or plant. It’s also commonly used to describe something related to adults.
Me: I am a responsible, functioning adult.
Also Me: *sometimes forgets I’m driving while I’m driving*
— Katie Didn't (@Pork_Chop_Hair)
i hate being an adult why am i getting emotionally attached to furniture i can't afford
— hatsune mitski (zeph) (@zephanijong)
Your childhood punishments actually become your adult goals
— Karmin (@beingkarmin)
Try usingadult!
True or False?
An adult animal is an animal that is not yet fully developed.
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