Adult Meaning
/ˈæd.ʌlt/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn animal that is full-grown.
nounA person who has reached the legal age of majority.
Sentence Examples
You are now an adult.
And yet, in the "real adult world" there are a lot of competitions.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
CEFR Practice Quiz
You must be an ____ over eighteen years old to enter the casino.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In most countries, you are legally considered an ____ at eighteen.
Word Origin & History
From French adulte, from Latin adultus (“grown up”), perfect passive participle of adolescō (“to grow up”). Compare adolescent.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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"
— 1840, Georges Cuvier, Edward Blyth, Robert Mudie, George Johnston, J.O. Westwood, “The fourth order of reptiles—The batrachians”, in Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, page 286:
"The paws of the adult brown bear, and also their hams, especially when smoked, are considered a great delicacy."
— 1837, Michael Donovan, Domestic Economy: Human Food, Animal and Vegetable, page 86:
"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."
— 2007, Dublin, Explorer Publishing & Distribution, →ISBN, page 200:
"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."
— 2012, Deron R. Hicks, Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave, Houghton Mifflin, →ISBN, page 32:
"A few days later, we had finished a day of sunbathing and oscillating between the kiddie pool and the adult pool, always settling for the latter after one too many baby Hamoudies had taken a shit in the pool."
— 2020, Kamelya Omayma Youssef, “Frayed Towel Made Holy: Prayer [Rug] for This Nonbeliever”, in Khaled Mattawa, Pauline Kaldas, editor, Beyond Memory: An Anthology of Contemporary Arab American Creative Nonfiction, University of Arkansas Press, →ISBN, page 248:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
You must be an ____ over eighteen years old to enter the casino.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In most countries, you are legally considered an ____ at eighteen.