adult
AD-uhlt
Adult (noun) means a person who has reached the age of legal maturity, typically 18 or older. Example: “Children must be accompanied by an adult at the swimming pool.”
noun
1
A person who has reached the age of legal maturity, typically 18 or older.
"Children must be accompanied by an adult at the swimming pool."
"Only adults are permitted to sign the lease."
"As an adult, she finally understood her parents' decisions."
adj
1
Fully grown, or intended for grown-ups rather than children.
"The adult birds took turns feeding the chicks in the nest."
"The film contains adult themes not suitable for children."
"An adult elephant can weigh several tonnes."
How to use adult
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA grown person, or something meant for grown-ups.
Common pairings
young adult
adult content
adult supervision
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Word forms
- Plural
- adults
- Third person singular
- adults
- Past tense
- adulted
- Comparative
- more adult
- Superlative
- most adult
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Children must be accompanied by an _____ at the swimming pool.
Etymology
From Latin adultus ("grown up"), the past participle of adolescere ("to grow up") — the same root as adolescent.
Synonyms
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grown person
mature person
pornographic
grownup
big
grown
grown-up
growed-up
postpubescent
fully grown
grown up
for adults
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “adult” mean?
The word “adult” means a person who has reached the age of legal maturity, typically 18 or older. In plain terms, a grown person, or something meant for grown-ups.
How do you pronounce “adult”?
“Adult” is pronounced AD-uhlt (/ˈæd.ʌlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “adult” in a sentence?
Here is “adult” used in a sentence: “Only adults are permitted to sign the lease.”
What is another word for “adult”?
Words with a similar meaning to “adult” include grown-up, grownup, growed-up, postpubescent, fully grown and grown up.
What is the opposite of “adult”?
The opposite of “adult” — its antonyms — are child and youngling.
What part of speech is “adult”?
Depending on how it is used, “adult” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “adult” come from?
The word “adult” comes from Latin. From Latin adultus ("grown up"), the past participle of adolescere ("to grow up") — the same root as adolescent.
Is “adult” a common word?
“Adult” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
At what age do you become an adult?
In most countries the legal age of adulthood, or majority, is 18, when a person gains rights such as voting and signing contracts. Some places set it at 19 or 21, and certain activities like drinking may carry a higher age limit even after adulthood legally begins.
What is the difference between an adult and a minor?
A minor is someone below the legal age of adulthood, usually under 18, who lacks certain rights and responsibilities. An adult has reached that age and is legally accountable for their own decisions, contracts, and actions. The dividing line between the two is what the law calls the age of majority.
What is the difference between an adult and a grown-up?
They mean much the same thing, but adult is the formal, legal term tied to a specific age, while grown-up is informal and often used by or with children. Grown-up can also describe mature behaviour, whereas adult points mainly to having reached legal age rather than to how someone acts.
Does adult only refer to age?
No. As an adjective it can also mean mature or suitable for grown-ups, and it serves as a polite label for explicit content. In biology, adult describes any fully grown animal or plant, not just a person who has reached the legal age of maturity.
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