Came of age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Came of age" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the transition into adulthood or maturity, often in a figurative sense regarding experiences or developments. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, the company finally came of age and established itself as a leader in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Information Came of Age: Technologies of Knowledge in the Age of Reason and Revolution.

University of California, Berkeley

"Displaying Information: Maps and Graphs," pp 96-141 in When Information Came of Age: Technologies of Knowledge in the Age of Reason and Revolution, 1700-1850.

University of California, Berkeley

Phillips, Dom, "When Techno Came of Age" (Mixmag, 1992).

Vice

I'd like to commend you for the insightful article "A Guide to Where L.A.'s Gays Came of Age" (July 8).

Los Angeles Times

After 1918 Slovak literature came of age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hitchens came of age in the 1960s.

The New York Times

How America came of age.

The New Yorker

I came of age today.

The New Yorker

I came of age during Vietnam.

The New York Times - Books

With Yeats, ottava rima came of age.

The Guardian - Books

It came of age long, long ago.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came of age" to denote a significant stage of development or maturation, whether referring to individuals, movements, technologies, or abstract concepts. Make sure the context clearly indicates what is reaching maturity.

Common error

Avoid using "came of age" in literal contexts where physical aging is the primary focus. It's more appropriate for figurative situations where something is developing or maturing in significance or capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came of age" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a transition into maturity or a significant stage of development. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came of age" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that signifies a transition into maturity or a significant stage of development. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as in academic and business contexts. While "came of age" is used to express that someone or something has reached a pivotal point, it should be used in a figurative context to correctly convey its meaning. Alternatives include "matured", "reached maturity" and "came into its own".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matured

A more concise way of saying "came of age", implying a growth in wisdom or experience.

reached maturity

Focuses on the attainment of full development or adulthood, suggesting a completion of growth.

came into its own

Implies the achievement of full potential or recognition, often used for organizations or movements.

hit its stride

Suggests a point where progress becomes smooth and efficient, indicating a peak in performance.

blossomed

Emphasizes a flourishing or thriving development, suggesting a positive and attractive outcome.

reached its peak

Indicates the highest point of achievement or development, suggesting a culmination of effort.

arrived

Suggests the attainment of success or recognition, implying a significant accomplishment.

found its feet

Implies the establishment of a stable or secure position, suggesting a solid foundation.

flowered

Similar to blossomed, but can also refer to a more gradual, organic process of development.

became established

Focuses on the firm establishment of something, highlighting its security and recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "came of age" in a sentence?

You can use "came of age" to describe when someone or something reaches a significant level of maturity, development, or recognition. For example, "Modern logistics "came of age" during World War II".

What does "came of age" mean?

"Came of age" refers to the time when someone or something reaches maturity or full development. It's often used figuratively to describe the point at which something becomes fully established or recognized.

Which is a better phrase, "came of age" or "reached maturity"?

Both "came of age" and "reached maturity" are correct, but they can have slightly different connotations. "Came of age" often implies a more dynamic or transformative process, while "reached maturity" simply indicates the attainment of full development.

What are some alternatives to using "came of age"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "matured", "came into its own", or "hit its stride" to convey a similar meaning.