# come of age

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/come-of-age
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To reach a specific age where one is legally considered to be an adult.

## Examples

- In many countries, you come of age at eighteen.
- The young prince will officially come of age during a ceremony held on his eighteenth birthday.
- As the protagonist begins to come of age, she must finally confront the difficult responsibilities that her family expects her to carry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.