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View synonyms for adult

adult

[ uh-duhlt, ad-uhlt ]

noun

  1. a person who is fully grown or developed or of age.
  2. a full-grown animal or plant.
  3. a person who has attained the age of maturity as specified by law.


adjective

  1. having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature:

    an adult person, animal, or plant.

  2. of, relating to, or befitting adults.
  3. intended for adults; not suitable for children:

    adult entertainment.

verb (used without object)

  1. 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

  1. having reached maturity; fully developed
  2. of or intended for mature people

    adult education

  3. regarded as suitable only for adults, because of being pornographic

    adult films and magazines



noun

  1. a person who has attained maturity; a grownup
  2. a mature fully grown animal or plant
  3. law a person who has attained the age of legal majority (18 years for most purposes) Compare infant

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Derived Forms

  • ˈadulthood, noun

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Other Words From

  • a·dult·hood noun
  • a·dult·like adjective
  • a·dult·ly adverb
  • a·dult·ness noun
  • non·a·dult adjective noun
  • qua·si-a·dult adjective
  • sub·a·dult adjective noun
  • sub·a·dult·ness noun
  • un·a·dult adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of adult1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin adultus “grown” (past participle of adolēre “to make grow”), equivalent to ad- ad- + ul- (identical with base al- in aliment ( def ) ) + -tus past participle suffix

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Word History and Origins

Origin of adult1

C16: from Latin adultus, from adolēscere to grow up, from alēscere to grow, from alēre to feed, nourish

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Example Sentences

Jones is a veteran of another beloved-yet-controversial animated series on Adult Swim, The Boondocks.

As of 2013, Jews make up 1.8 to 2.2 percent of the adult U.S. population.

Another side of Spider-Man that might be interesting to explore in a reboot is seeing him as an adult.

I was under the impression that “girls” is a demeaning term for adult women.

It might feel fresh to see Peter Parker juggling with adult issues.

Few persons can attain to adult life without being profoundly impressed by the appalling inequalities of our human lot.

But between the phase of schooling and the phase of adult learning there is an intermediate stage.

And this college course I have sketched should, in the modern state, pass insensibly into adult mental activities.

It stands very much in the way of that universal adult education which is our present concern.

Not more than one adult worker in ten—so at least it might with confidence be estimated—is employed on necessary things.

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Adullamiteadult education