adults

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adults" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who are fully grown or developed, typically over the age of 18, in various contexts such as discussions about age, responsibilities, or demographics. Example: "The event is designed for adults only, ensuring a mature atmosphere for all attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Business

Books

Sport

Tech

Travel

Social Care Network

Global Development

Higher Education Network

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will be all right as long as we talk about it openly and like adults.

The Guardian

Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

The Guardian

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said the Scouts had recognised the contribution that "thoughtful and ethical non-religious young people and adults" could make to both the movement and society.

The Guardian

While it has a close relationship with Indiana's capital city, college sports have been at the forefront of several breakthroughs for gay rights in the last two years, and the young adults and college students the NCAA represents have generally been supportive of those changes.

The Guardian - Sport

Short naps have also been shown to be good for adults – improving alertness and reaction times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pfizer, the MHRA and others found in a survey that 15% of British adults had bought a prescription drug without a prescription.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's even a word for it – iPosture – and there is increasing evidence that it is causing back and neck pain in young adults.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While it is easy to see why a book like this would receive such intense interest from economists, who are engineered to concern themselves with questions like these, it is, perhaps, more difficult to understand how Capital became a book that would top the summer reading lists of thousands of beach-bound, working class adults.

The Guardian - Money

Herbal medicines are used by about a quarter of adults in the UK, the market is worth at least £485m, and they have a powerful advocate in Prince Charles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Samoans, among whom he settled, called him "the teller of tales", and readers who return to him as adults are still caught up in the engaging pace and clarity of those tales.

The Guardian - Books

"You don't give money to the adults, just little kids," my mother told me over the phone as she was running errands, dry and unwhipped, in Pennsylvania.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adults" when you need a neutral and widely understood term for people who are no longer children. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to perpetuate stereotypes or make generalizations based on age. Consider the diversity within the group of "adults" and avoid language that marginalizes or excludes specific age groups.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adults" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple individuals who have reached maturity or legal age. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is generally considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Books

7%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "adults" functions as a plural noun to refer to individuals who have reached maturity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, most commonly appearing in news, media, and lifestyle content. When using "adults", be mindful of avoiding ageism and promoting inclusivity. Alternatives such as "grownups" or "mature individuals" can be used depending on the context, as the right one is often dictated by the tone and level of formality of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grownups

Emphasizes a colloquial and informal way to refer to adults.

mature individuals

Highlights the aspect of maturity and responsibility.

fully grown people

Focuses on the physical aspect of being grown.

adult persons

Uses a more formal and legalistic tone.

men and women

Specifies gender while referring to adults.

the mature

A collective noun referring to adults.

elderly persons

Refers to adults of older age.

senior citizens

A specific group of older adults.

the older generation

Highlights the role of older adults in society.

responsible individuals

Emphasizes the responsibilities associated with adulthood.

FAQs

How can I use the word "adults" in a sentence?

The word "adults" is used to refer to individuals who are fully grown or legally of age. For example: "This event is intended for "adults" only."

Are there any formal synonyms for "adults"?

Yes, you can use more formal terms such as "mature individuals" or "adult persons" in formal writing.

What is the difference between "adults" and "grownups"?

"Grownups" is a more informal and colloquial term for "adults". "Adults" is generally used in more formal or neutral contexts.

Is it correct to use "adults" to refer to people over 18?

Generally, yes. The term ""adults"" typically refers to individuals who have reached the age of majority, which is usually 18 years old, though it can vary by jurisdiction.