Definition

Noun: 1. The state or condition of being fully grown and mature: This refers to the period in a person's life when physical growth is complete and one is considered a responsible, mature individual. 2. The period of life after physical growth has stopped and one is fully developed: This is the stage of life following adolescence, typically beginning in the late teens or early twenties and lasting until old age.

Usage

• Adulthood is used to describe a life stage, not a single event. It is an uncountable noun.
• It often implies legal rights, responsibilities, and social expectations associated with being an adult.
• Common collocations: .

Examples

• General State:
  • He took on the responsibilities of adulthood when he started his own family.
  • Financial independence is a key marker of adulthood in many cultures.
• Life Period:
  • Many health habits formed in adulthood can affect longevity.
  • She didn't learn to drive until well into her adulthood.

Advanced Usage

• "Emerging adulthood": A psychological term for the phase from the late teens through the twenties, focusing on identity exploration and instability before settling into full adult roles.
  • The concept of emerging adulthood explains why many people delay marriage and career choices until their late twenties.
• "Extended adulthood": Refers to the lengthening period of healthy life in older age.
  • Advances in medicine have created a new phase of extended adulthood for many seniors.

Variants and Related Words

• Adult (noun/adjective): A person who has reached adulthood; characteristic of an adult.
  • An adult must sign the permission form.
  • She handled the crisis in a very adult manner.
• Adulterate (verb): To make something impure by adding inferior substances. (Note: This is a different word with a different meaning, but it is a common point of confusion due to its similar spelling.)
  • It is illegal to adulterate food products.

Synonyms

• Maturity: The state of being fully developed, especially mentally and emotionally.
• Majority: The state of being of legal age (e.g., 18 or 21).
• Manhood/Womanhood: The state of being an adult man or woman, often emphasizing traditional gender roles.

Antonyms

• Childhood: The state or period of being a child.
• Adolescence: The period following childhood and preceding adulthood.
• Minority: The state of being under the legal age of adulthood.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Come of age": To reach adulthood, especially the legal age of maturity.
  • In this novel, the protagonist comes of age during a time of war.
• "Put away childish things": To stop behaving in a childish manner and adopt the responsibilities of adulthood. (Often used in a biblical or literary context.)
  • When I went to college, I had to put away childish things and learn to manage my own life.

Noun

1. the state (and responsibilities) of a person who has attained maturity
2. the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed