fully grown
Definition
Adjective: 1. Having reached complete physical or mental maturity; no longer developing or growing. This describes a living being, typically an animal or human, that has attained its full, mature size and development.
Usage
- The adjective fully grown is used to describe a state of complete maturity. It is often used to distinguish mature individuals from young or developing ones (e.g., juveniles, adolescents, puppies, kittens).
- It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a fully grown man) or follows a linking verb like "is" or "are" (e.g., The cat is fully grown).
Examples
- As an adjective before a noun:
- A fully grown elephant can weigh over 6,000 kilograms.
- She is now a fully grown woman with a career of her own.
- The garden is home to several fully grown oak trees.
- After a linking verb:
- The puppies are not fully grown yet; they still have a lot of growing to do.
- Once the plant is fully grown, it will produce fruit.
Advanced Usage
- In a metaphorical or abstract sense: While primarily used for biological growth, it can sometimes be applied to concepts that have reached a complete or final state.
- The idea was not fully grown when they first presented it; it needed more development.
Variants and Related Words
- Grown (adj.): A shorter, more informal synonym for "fully grown."
- A grown man should know better.
- Adult (adj. or n.): The most common and direct synonym, functioning as both an adjective () and a noun ().
- Mature (adj.): Can be synonymous but often implies emotional, intellectual, or behavioral development in addition to physical growth.
- He is very mature for his age. (This suggests wisdom, not just physical size.)
Synonyms
- Adult
- Mature
- Grown-up (informal)
- Full-fledged (often for abilities or status)
- Full-size
Antonyms
- Immature
- Juvenile
- Young
- Adolescent
- Underdeveloped
Adjective
-
(of animals) fully developed
-
an adult animal
-
a grown woman
-
