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ADULT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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

It added the beads should only used by older children or vulnerable adults under close supervision.

From BBC

Ticket prices range from $44 for an adult to $241 for a Super Moon pass that allows buyers to skip lines.

From BBC

At the time Ms de Souza said: "The adult content which parents may have accessed in their youth could be considered 'quaint' in comparison to today's world of online pornography."

From BBC

The adults stood by, pleased at the ecumenical nature of the Santa event and the fact that none of the kids commented on this Santa not matching the pictures in storybooks.

For most of my adult life, my Bieber obsession has faded into a faint memory, creeping back in when small moments like this trigger it.

From Salon

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More About Adult

What does adult mean?

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 adult 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 ... ?

What are some other forms of adult?

  • adulthood (noun)
  • adultlike (adjective)
  • adultly (adverb)
  • adultness (noun)
  • adulting (adjective, verb)

What are some synonyms for adult?

What are some other forms related to adult?

What are some words that often get used in discussing adult?

How is adult used 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.

 

Try using adult!

True or False?

An adult animal is an animal that is not yet fully developed.

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