adult

[ uh-duhlt, ad-uhlt ]
/ əˈdʌlt, ˈæd ʌlt /

adjective

having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature: an adult person, animal, or plant.
of, relating to, or befitting adults.
intended for adults; not suitable for children: adult entertainment.

noun

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

Origin of adult

1525–35; 1925–30 for def 3; < Latin adultus grown (past participle of adolēre to make grow), equivalent to ad- ad- + ul- (identical with base al- in aliment, ol- in prolific) + -tus past participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM adult

Example sentences from the Web for adulthood

British Dictionary definitions for adulthood

adult
/ (ˈædʌlt, əˈdʌlt) /

adjective

having reached maturity; fully developed
of or intended for mature people adult education
regarded as suitable only for adults, because of being pornographic adult films and magazines

noun

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

Derived forms of adult

adulthood, noun

Word Origin for adult

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

Medical definitions for adulthood

adult
[ ə-dŭlt, ădŭlt ]

n.

One who has attained maturity or legal age.
A fully grown, mature organism.

adj.

Fully developed and mature.