adult

adultnoun

An adult is a person or an animal that has finished growing.

1. persona person who is fully grown, generally considered to be at least eighteen years old

   countable [C]

   • Only adults are allowed in this section of the pool.
   • As an adult, she moved to a different city.
   • The movie is intended for adults, not children.
   • Both adults and children enjoyed the show.

   Collocations

   adjective + noun young adult, responsible adult

   verb + noun become an adult, treat someone like an adult

   Antonyms child

   For translators (sense 1)

   Cultural background The exact age at which a person becomes an adult in law varies by country; eighteen is common but not universal.

2. animalan animal that is fully grown

   countable [C] biology

   • Adults of this species can weigh several tons.
   • Only adults have the bright orange coloring; the young are gray.

See also adult (the adjective, as in adult content)

adultadjective

1. fully grownfully grown, or relating to people or animals that are fully grown

   not gradable [not gradable] often before another noun [before noun]

   • An adult elephant can weigh several tons.
   • The city offers free adult education classes.
   • She led a full and busy adult life.
   • Adult tickets cost more than children's tickets.

   Collocations

   adjective + noun adult education, adult life, adult supervision

2. for adults onlysuitable only for adults because it shows or talks about sex or violence

   not gradable [not gradable] often before another noun [before noun] euphemistic

   • The store sells adult magazines.
   • This film has adult content and is rated accordingly.
   • The website requires an adult content warning.