adult

¹adult

adj \ə-ˈdəlt, ˈa-ˌdəlt\

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

Examples of ADULT

1. preparing children for adult life
2. We need to approach this in an adult way.

Origin of ADULT

Latin adultus, past participle of adolescere to grow up, from ad- + -olescere (from alescere to grow) — more at old

First Known Use: 1531

Related to ADULT

Synonyms: grown-up, mature

Antonyms: adolescent, immature

Related Words: hard-core, soft-core; bedroom, erotic (also erotical), sexy, suggestive; bawdy, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, indecent, lascivious, lewd, lustful, nasty, obscene, ribald, salacious, smutty, unprintable, vulgar, wanton; immodest, kinky, prurient; earthy, racy, salty; indecorous, unbecoming; debasing, perverted, profane; naughty, wicked

Near Antonyms: childish, infantile, kiddish

see all synonyms and antonyms

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