adult
nounadjectiveverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈæd.ʌlt//
- United Kingdom//ˈæd.əlt//
An animal that is full-grown.
noun
- 1
An animal that is full-grown.
The young not only differs from the adult by the presence of its gills, but its feet are only developed by degrees, and in several genera there are also a deciduous beak and tail, and intestines of a different form
- 2
A person who has reached the legal age of majority.
Etymology
From French adulte, from Latin adultus (“grown up”), perfect passive participle of adolescō (“to grow up”). Compare adolescent.
adjective
- 1
Fully grown.
an adult human, animal, or plant
The paws of the adult brown bear, and also their hams, especially when smoked, are considered a great delicacy.
- 2
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc.
adult clothes; adult cereal; an adult documentary
In May 1967 the WGBH Education Division submitted an initial proposal to HUD for a series of four adult television documentaries on conservation in an urban environment.
- 3
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc. Containing situations or discussions intended primarily for adults, such as serious crime, illicit drug use, extramarital affairs, etc.
adult situations; adult discussions
- 4
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc. Containing alcohol, intended for consumption only by adults.
an adult drink; an adult root beer float
- 5
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc. Containing marijuana, intended for consumption only by adults.
an adult cookie; adult gummy worms
- 6
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc. Containing material of an explicit sexual nature; pornographic.
an adult movie
This program contains adult content. Parental discretion is advised.
- 7
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc. Containing excessive vulgar or profane speech, text or images, intended only for adults.
adult language; an adult cartoon
- 8
Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc. Intended for, or restricted to, those who are not young children.
an adult menu; an adult fare
Children go free, but for those 12 and up, you must purchase an adult ticket.
The Storehouse is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00, except for during July and August when it stays open until 19:00. Adult admission is €14, children under 12 pay €5, and children under 6 go free. You get a 10% discount if you book online.
At the far end of the table and almost immediately opposite her father sat Colophon. Next to her sat her cousin Jules, who had turned twelve the preceding year and was therefore enjoying his second year at the adult table.
verb
- 1
slangTo behave like an adult.
Adulting is hard!
- 2
rareTo (cause to) be or become an adult.
Womanhood was achieved at twenty-one, when the female was "adulted"; manhood was fully achieved at twenty-five, […]
The process of adulting children[…] overlaps with the process of the uncontrolled infiltration of the media[…] into children’s imagination.
Forms
- plural
- adults
- comparative
- more adult
- superlative
- most adult
- past tense
- adulted
- past participle
- adulted
- present participle
- adulting
- third person singular
- adults