˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

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

  • ˈ²¹»å³Ü±ô³Ù³ó´Ç´Ç»å, noun
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Other ˜yÐÄvlog Forms

  • ²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù·³ó´Ç´Ç»å noun
  • ²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù·±ô¾±°ì±ð adjective
  • ²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù·±ô²â adverb
  • ²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù·²Ô±ð²õ²õ noun
  • ²Ô´Ç²Ô·²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù adjective noun
  • ±ç³Ü²¹Â·²õ¾±-²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù adjective
  • ²õ³Ü²ú·²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù adjective noun
  • sub·²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù·²Ô±ð²õ²õ noun
  • ³Ü²Ô·²¹Â·»å³Ü±ô³Ù adjective
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of adult1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin adultus “grown†(past participle of ²¹»å´Ç±ôŧ°ù±ð “to make growâ€), equivalent to ad- ad- + ul- (identical with base al- in aliment ( def ) ) + -tus past participle suffix
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of adult1

C16: from Latin adultus, from ²¹»å´Ç±ôŧ²õ³¦±ð°ù±ð to grow up, from ²¹±ôŧ²õ³¦±ð°ù±ð to grow, from ²¹±ôŧ°ù±ð to feed, nourish
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"As an adult now my heart just breaks for him, because I've been there."

From

Stanley Zhong had a 4.42 grade point average, a nearly perfect SAT score, had bested adults in competitive coding competitions and started his own electronic signing service all while still in high school.

From

Some of it, like the famous Ballerina Farm, also targets married adult women, offering an idyllic fantasy of farm life far removed from the stressors of most women's daily existence.

From

"Last night I was knocking on doors... people were saying we want grown-up adult politics," she said.

From

The director of a new film set in a sweltering London over 24 hours on A-Level results day says that the city he grew up in is now "inaccessible" to many Gen Z young adults.

From

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More About Adult

What doesÌý²¹»å³Ü±ô³ÙÌýmean?

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 ²¹»å³Ü±ô³ÙÌýcome from?

The first records of the term adult come from around the 1520s. It comes from the Latin word adultus, meaning “grown.â€Ìý

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 isÌý²¹»å³Ü±ô³ÙÌýused 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.

Ìý

Try usingÌýadult!

True or False?

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

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