become of age

USAGE SUMMARY

'become of age' is an acceptable expression in written English.
It is used to refer to someone reaching the age of majority (e.g. 18 years old) and being legally able to do certain activities or work. For example: "When she became of age, she was able to get her driver's license and look for a job."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Because of Folds of Honor, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that provides scholarships for the spouses and children of military members who have been killed or disabled in combat, Bauguess's two children will receive college scholarships when they become of age.

The New York Times

Youths in Sweden become of age at 18 and pension age is 65 years.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Age was grouped into intervals 0 18 years, 18 40 years, 40 64 years, and ≥65 years; youths in Sweden become of age at 18 and pension-age is 65 years.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Today, Stash has begun to roll out custodial accounts, where parents can invest on behalf of their children, with the intention to hand over the account to the child when they become of age to invest themselves – either 18 or 21, depending on the state.

TechCrunch

The radical right can stir whatever fears it wants about gay marriage, but the millennials not only have accepted gay marriage, they cannot comprehend why it is even a question....and, unless stem cells provide eternal life, it is they that shall inherit the earth, as each year more and more become of age.

Huffington Post

"Children in Karamoja are often victims of raids, since they are trained to raid as soon as they are deemed to have become of age," Kotido District Acting Chairperson Grace Oyuge said, referring to the cattle rustling that is part of a conflict among different ethnic groups in the sub-region.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

During the youth of Charles XI, he headed the Council of Regency; when Charles became of age (1672), he was his chief minister.

Britannica

When Philip became of age, his interest in the Netherlands was soon subordinated to his hopes for the Spanish succession.

Britannica

When he became of age they sent him to Las Cruces College [which shortly thereafter merged with New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (NMA&MA) and is now known as New Mexico State University (NMSU ] in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he studied agricultural sciences.

Science Magazine

During a recent interview with Street Sweeper Radio he opened up on the idea of smoking marijuana with his son, Sebastian, once he becomes of age.

Huffington Post

About half of the country's population is 25 or younger, and nearly 12 million people become of working age every year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become of age", ensure the context clearly indicates the attainment of legal or social maturity, or a specific age milestone relevant to the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "become of age" when simply referring to aging in general. It's best suited when emphasizing the attainment of a specific age threshold or milestone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become of age" functions as a marker of transition, specifically indicating the point at which an individual reaches legal or social maturity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is an acceptable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become of age" signifies the attainment of legal or social maturity, marking a transition into adulthood. Ludwig AI validates its acceptability in written English. While not overly common, it finds usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. It is important to use it when one wants to emphasize the attainment of a specific age threshold. Related phrases like "reach adulthood" or "attain majority" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Ensure clarity in expressing the attainment of legal or social maturity when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come of age

Similar in structure but uses 'come' instead of 'become'.

reach legal age

Specifically refers to the age at which one gains legal rights and responsibilities.

reach adulthood

Focuses on the transition to being an adult, implying legal and social recognition.

attain majority

Highlights the legal aspect of reaching the age when one is no longer a minor.

attain full age

Synonymous with reaching majority but with a more archaic tone.

reach the age of maturity

More formal and emphasizes the state of being fully developed.

grow into adulthood

Suggests a gradual process of developing into an adult.

enter adulthood

Focuses on the beginning of adult life.

be old enough

A simpler, more general way of expressing that someone has reached the required age.

meet the required age

Indicates fulfilling a specific age requirement for something.

FAQs

What does "become of age" mean?

"Become of age" means to reach the age of legal adulthood, typically 18 or 21, depending on the jurisdiction. It signifies reaching an age where one is granted certain rights and responsibilities.

How to use "become of age" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe when someone is legally allowed to do something. For example, "When she "reached adulthood", she could vote and enter into contracts."

What are some alternatives to "become of age"?

Alternatives include "reach adulthood", "attain majority", or "come of age", which all describe the transition into adulthood and legal maturity.

Is there a difference between "come of age" and "become of age"?

While similar, "come of age" often implies a more general transition or period of development, while "become of age" more directly refers to reaching a specific legal age or milestone.