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

There was something so exciting about holding those glowing wands and feeling just a little grown-up while doing it. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

For families While the crowd skews more grown-up, little ones are also welcome, and there are some small cots, high chairs, and toys available for children. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Noun

Reportedly shot for less than $100,000, this tale of Pooh and Piglet all grown-up and running amok recently opened to box office success in Mexico and is currently playing on cinema screens around America. — Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023

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