grown-up

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgrōn-ˌəp 

1

: not childish or immature : adult

2

: of, for, or characteristic of adults

insisted on wearing grown-up clothes

grown-up

2 of 2

noun

: adult

Synonyms of grown-up

Adjective

• mature

Noun

• adult

Examples of grown-up in a Sentence

Adjective

they have yet to find a grown-up way of handling their marital problems

Noun

once you turn 12, you get to eat with the grown-ups at Thanksgiving

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Later in the evening when kids were likely to be in bed, the TV audience was overwhelmingly grown-up. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

But instead of leaning into Minnie Mouse territory, this A-line midiskirt looks more sophisticated and grown-up with its small dots, satiny finish, and lightly ruffled hemline. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 25 July 2026

Noun

Over the past few weeks, it's been mostly students, not grown-ups, who have led the opposition to a Camas High cross country runner competing against girls after starting the season on the boys team. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

While families are very welcome, the overall atmosphere leans more towards a calm and grown-up feel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grown-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

grown-up

adjective

ˈgrō-ˌnəp

: adult entry 1 sense 2

grown-up noun