First Known Use: 1531
Dictionary
1adult
adjective \ə-ˈdəlt, ˈa-ˌdəlt\
: fully grown and developed
: mature and sensible : not childish
: of or intended for adults
Full Definition of ADULT
1
: fully developed and mature : grown-up
2
: of, relating to, intended for, or befitting adults <an adult approach to a problem>
3
: dealing in or with explicitly sexual material <adult bookstores> <adult movies>
— adult·hood \ə-ˈdəlt-ˌhu̇d\ noun
— adult·ly \ə-ˈdəlt-lē, ˈa-ˌdəlt-\ adverb
— adult·ness \ə-ˈdəlt-nəs, ˈa-ˌdəlt-\ noun
See adult defined for English-language learners
See adult defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ADULT
Latin adultus, past participle of adolescere to grow up, from ad- + -olescere (from alescere to grow) — more at old
Related to ADULT
- Antonyms
- adolescent, immature
2adult
noun
: a fully grown person or animal
Full Definition of ADULT
: one that is adult; especially : a human being after an age (as 21) specified by law
— adult·like \ə-ˈdəlt-ˌlīk\ adjective
See adult defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ADULT
1658
Related to ADULT
- Synonyms
- grown-up
Other Legal Terms
ADULT Defined for Kids
1adult
adjective \ə-ˈdəlt, ˈa-ˌdəlt\
Definition of ADULT for Kids
: fully developed and mature <adult birds>
2adult
noun
Definition of ADULT for Kids
: a fully grown person, animal, or plant
Learn More About ADULT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: adult alternativePrevious Word in the Dictionary: AdullamiteAll Words Near: adult
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up adult? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).