noun / adjective
adult
uh-DULT/əˈdʌlt/
Fully grown or intended for fully grown people.
The adult stands comfortably in his everyday clothes.
Etymology
The growth element links being nourished with reaching maturity. Its completed, “grown-up” sense first described someone mature, then became a noun for a fully grown person.
In context
You're a grown adult, act like it hurts (which it probably does). Loudly say, "Ouch! That hurt!"
More examples
- Two adults help the children cross the busy street.
- An adult elephant shelters its calf from the wind.
- The community center offers adult education classes each evening.
Forms
adult · adults
adulthood noun — The stage of life after childhood.
Similar words
- grown-up
- An informal term for an adult person, not other organisms.
- mature
- Can describe developed judgment as well as physical growth.