grown up

USAGE SUMMARY

"grown up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who is considered an adult, either due to their age or maturity. For example: "She's a grown up now and ready to take on the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"They've grown up together".

The New York Times - Sports

He'd grown up there.

The New Yorker

"Everything has grown up".

The New York Times

I'm not grown up yet.

The Guardian - Film

We're all grown up now.

Independent

He'd grown up on them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

They were grown-up sentimentalists.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm a grown-up".

The New York Times

Grown-up romance "CATASTROPHE".

The New Yorker

Well, no grown-up, anyway.

The New York Times

But enough grown-up grousing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grown up" to describe a state of maturity or adulthood, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual. For example, "He has grown up a lot since I last saw him."

Common error

Avoid using "grow up" as an adjective. "Grow up" is a verb, while "grown up" can function as an adjective or noun. For example, say "a grown-up decision" instead of "a grow-up decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grown up" functions as a phrasal verb and adjective, describing the state of being an adult or having matured. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it describing people who have matured or things suitable for adults.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

11%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grown up" is commonly used to describe the state of being an adult or having matured. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. It can function as a phrasal verb, adjective, or noun, depending on the context. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts. When using "grown up", be mindful of the distinction between "grow up" (the verb) and "grown up" (the adjective or noun) to avoid grammatical errors. Consider alternatives like "adult" or "mature" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become an adult

Focuses specifically on the transition to adulthood.

reached adulthood

Highlights the attainment of adult status.

matured

Emphasizes the process of becoming more developed and responsible.

come of age

Indicates a significant moment of maturation or reaching adulthood.

developed into an adult

Focuses on the gradual process of becoming an adult.

became more mature

Highlights the change in maturity level.

left childhood behind

Emphasizes the abandonment of childish traits and habits.

outgrew childhood

Similar to the above, but with a focus on exceeding the boundaries of childhood.

became responsible

Highlights the adoption of adult responsibilities and duties.

acted like an adult

Focuses on exhibiting mature behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "grown up" in a sentence?

You can use "grown up" as a noun meaning an adult (e.g., "The grown ups were talking in the other room"), as an adjective describing something suitable for adults (e.g., "a grown up party"), or as the past participle of the verb "grow up" (e.g., "She has grown up so fast!").

What's the difference between "grow up" and "grown up"?

"Grow up" is a verb that means to develop from a child into an adult. "Grown up" can be a noun referring to an adult, an adjective describing something suitable for adults, or the past participle of "grow up".

What are some other words for "grown up"?

You could use "adult", "mature", or "of age" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "grown up man"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and natural to say "grown man". The adjective "grown" often precedes the noun in this context.