SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

1

grown-up

adjective \ ˈgrōn-ˌəp \

Definition of grown-up

1 :not childish or immature :adult

2 :of, for, or characteristic of adults

insisted on wearing grown-up clothes

See grown-up defined for English-language learners

See grown-up defined for kids

First Known Use of grown-up

1633

grown-up Synonyms

Synonyms

grown-up, mature

Antonyms

adolescent, immature

Near Antonyms

childish, infantile, kiddish

2

grown-up

noun

Definition of grown-up

:adult

See grown-up defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of grown-up

1813

grown-up Synonyms

Synonyms

grown-up

Related Words

middle-ager; ancient, elder, gaffer, graybeard, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Near Antonyms

bairn [chiefly Scottish], child, cub, kid, moppet, tad, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike); baby, infant; adolescent, juvenile, minor, youngling, youngster, youth; preteen, preteen-ager, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween

GROWN-UP Defined for English Language Learners

grown-up

adjective

Definition of grown-up for English Language Learners

: no longer young : fully grown
: suitable for adults
: like an adult

grown-up

noun

Definition of grown-up for English Language Learners

: a person who is fully grown

GROWN-UP Defined for Kids

1

grown-up

adjective \ ˈgrōn-ˌəp \

Definition of grown-up for Students

:¹adult

2

grown-up

noun

Definition of grown-up for Students

:an adult person

Learn More about grown-up

See words that rhyme with grown-up Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grown-up Nglish: Translation of grown-up for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grown-up for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up grown-up? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

play

to suppress quietly or indirectly

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

alt-59e8c3440f453

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

Play the game