comes of age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes of age" is correct and usable in written English.
It means a person has reached legal adulthood, usually at age 18 or 21. For example: "My daughter just came of age, and she is excited to vote in her first election!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The coming year will also be the year that cyberterrorism comes of age – sort of.

The Guardian

Sleep disorders comes of age.

Harvard University

The TOR pathway comes of age.

Nature

Turkey's start-up scene comes of age.

The New York Times

The American movie comes of age in 1972.

The Guardian - Film

The ARP2/3 complex: an actin nucleator comes of age.

Nature

Will 2014 be the year telehealth comes of age?

The Guardian

Gould, S.J. & Eldredge, N. Punctuated equilibrium comes of age.

Nature

Jones, P.A. & Laird, P.W. Cancer epigenetics comes of age.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

— Nicole Perlroth Social Media Comes of Age Blog.nielsen.com |  The new normal?

The New York Times

He comes of age and into his inheritance today.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes of age" to describe a point of significant development or maturation, not just reaching a specific age. For example, use it when discussing a trend, technology, or movement reaching a turning point.

Common error

Avoid using "comes of age" solely to describe a person's literal attainment of adulthood. The phrase often implies a broader sense of development, significance, or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes of age" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate the attainment of maturity, significance, or full development. Ludwig demonstrates its application in diverse contexts, from personal growth to technological advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science & Research

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes of age" signifies the attainment of maturity or significance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically sound and versatile, it's frequently employed across News & Media, Science & Research, and Academia. Related phrases include "reaches adulthood" and "matures", offering nuanced alternatives. When writing, remember it is better used to describe a turning point than simply a literal age. Ludwig provides several examples of this phrase in context, further clarifying its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaches adulthood

Focuses specifically on attaining legal and social maturity.

grows up

A more casual way of saying someone is maturing or becoming an adult.

matures

Implies a broader process of development, not necessarily limited to reaching adulthood.

reaches maturity

Similar to "matures" but emphasizes the final state of development.

becomes fully developed

Focuses on the completion of a growth process, applicable to both people and things.

comes into its own

Suggests achieving full potential or recognition, often used for abstract concepts or entities.

hits its stride

Indicates reaching a point of confident and effective performance.

flowers

Emphasizes flourishing or thriving, often with a positive connotation.

blossoms

Similar to "flowers", suggesting a beautiful or graceful development.

finds its footing

Indicates becoming stable or secure, often after a period of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "comes of age" to describe when someone reaches adulthood or when something, like a technology or an idea, reaches a stage of maturity. For example, "The internet really "comes of age" when broadband becomes widespread."

What's a good alternative to "comes of age"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "reaches adulthood", "matures", or "comes into its own" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "coming of age" the same as "comes of age"?

"Coming of age" refers to the process of growing into adulthood, often used to describe stories or experiences about this transition. "Comes of age" indicates the point when someone or something reaches maturity or significance.

Can "comes of age" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "comes of age" is often used to describe the maturation or development of abstract concepts, technologies, or movements. For example, "Cancer immunotherapy "comes of age" as new therapies show promise."