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noun Uncommon

adulthood

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Adulthood (noun) means the state or period of being an adult. Example: “She reflected on how much she'd changed since entering adulthood.”

noun
1
The state or period of being an adult.
"She reflected on how much she'd changed since entering adulthood."
"The transition into adulthood can be difficult for some teenagers."
"Learning to cook and pay bills is all part of entering adulthood."

How to use adulthood

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe stage of life once someone is grown up.

Common pairings
reach adulthood early adulthood the transition to adulthood
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Word forms

Plural
adulthoods
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She reflected on how much she'd changed since entering _____.

Etymology

From adult + -hood.

Related words

Rhymes for adulthood

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Frequently asked questions

What does “adulthood” mean?
The word “adulthood” means the state or period of being an adult. In plain terms, the stage of life once someone is grown up.
How do you use “adulthood” in a sentence?
Here is “adulthood” used in a sentence: “She reflected on how much she'd changed since entering adulthood.”
What part of speech is “adulthood”?
“Adulthood” is a noun.
Is “adulthood” a common word?
“Adulthood” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "adulthood" and "maturity"?
"Adulthood" refers to the state or period of being an adult, essentially a stage of life, while "maturity" refers to the quality of being fully developed emotionally or mentally, which someone can lack even as an adult.
Is "adulthood" the same as "coming of age"?
"Coming of age" describes the transition or moment of becoming an adult, while "adulthood" describes the resulting state or period of being an adult that follows that transition.
Does "adulthood" refer to one specific age?
The definition describes adulthood simply as the state or period of being an adult, without tying it to one fixed age, since the boundary between adolescence and adulthood can vary by context.

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