adult

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'adult' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has reached the age of majority (usually considered 18 years or older) and is legally responsible for their actions. Example Sentence: The adult was arrested for driving under the influence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Abbott said the federal government believed "the states should take more responsibility for their public hospitals and for their public schools and we make no apologies for wanting the states to be grown up, adult governments that take responsibility for the programs that are theirs, for the institutions that they run".

The Guardian

Just because we've had to live with the ghastly consequences of their fatuous, self-interested actions for the whole of our adult lives, that doesn't mean we're qualified to judge them.

The Guardian

For its part, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) says that paying the UKHCA's £15.74 would cost an extra £342m a year in England, "which would require us to make very serious further cuts in parts of the adult social care service".

The Guardian

When sector leaders gather on Thursday at the annual conference of Skills for Care, the workforce development body for adult social care, the talk is likely to be about an even stiffer potential bill, however.

The Guardian

Since all it takes for evil to prevail is one good seven-year-old to do nothing, I continued to crack the case wide open: "And what about the tooth fairy?" I got up to tell my sister, but was waylaid by an adult offering me chocolate cake in exchange for my silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

I attempted to write a young adult fairytale with Fearless, which I set out to construct in a purely mythological fashion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She says the UK business sees the equivalent of six full classes gain adult certificates in English and maths every week.

The Guardian - Money

Wildlife tours are £5 per adult and £4 per child.

The Guardian - Travel

A plan to cut the rebate for some GP visits by $5 for adult non-concession patients but leave the option for doctors to recoup the $5 from patients was dumped.

The Guardian

Still, there's a difference between a celebrated transgender adult and a transgender child – it must have been frightening growing up.

The Guardian - Music

Wiry and with short-cropped hair flecked with grey, Murphy had worked on building sites most of his adult life, never realising his birdwatching hobby could be a career.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adult" as an adjective, ensure clarity by specifying what it modifies (e.g., "adult education", "adult content").

Common error

Avoid using "adult" when referring to teenagers or adolescents. "Adult" specifically denotes someone who has reached full maturity and legal age. Using the term "adolescent" can help ensure proper accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The word "adult" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a fully grown person or animal. It also serves as an adjective, describing something intended for or related to adults, such as "adult education". Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Opinion

7%

Money

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adult" functions as both a noun and an adjective, denoting full maturity and legal age. It's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and travel content. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, with high source quality and consistent usage. When writing, consider alternatives like "grown up" or "mature individual" depending on the specific connotation you want to convey. Avoid using "adult" when referring to adolescents to maintain accuracy. The word “adult” is essential for distinguishing between age groups and related responsibilities, contributing clarity to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grown-up

Synonymous term for an adult, often used informally.

mature individual

Emphasizes the aspect of emotional and intellectual maturity.

of legal age

Focuses specifically on having reached the age of majority.

full-grown

Highlights the physical aspect of being fully developed.

over 18

Specifically indicates exceeding the common age of adulthood.

adult-only

Refers to content or environments restricted to adults.

pornographic

Describes content of an explicit sexual nature, intended for adults.

developed person

Implies a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional development.

emancipated minor

A minor who has been granted the rights and responsibilities of an adult.

responsible citizen

Implies the behavioral expectations associated with adulthood.

FAQs

How can I use "adult" in a sentence?

You can use "adult" as a noun to refer to a fully grown person or animal, or as an adjective to describe something intended for adults. For example, "The "adult was" responsible for the child" or "This movie is for "adult audiences" only".

What are some synonyms for "adult"?

Some synonyms for "adult" include "grown up", "mature individual", and "of legal age". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "adult" to describe someone under 18?

Generally, no. "Adult" typically refers to someone who has reached the legal age of majority, usually 18. Using it for someone younger can be inaccurate and misleading. Consider using "teenager" or "adolescent" instead.

What's the difference between "adult" and "mature"?

"Adult" primarily refers to age and legal status, while "mature" implies a certain level of emotional, intellectual, or social development. Someone can be an "adult" without necessarily being "mature", and vice versa.