# consenting adult

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/consenting-adult
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A person over the age of consent who willingly has sex.

## Examples

- The law protects the rights of every consenting adult.
- In this country, the law allows any consenting adult to make their own personal choices regarding their private life.
- The legal framework is designed to ensure that any intimate relationship remains a private matter between each consenting adult involved.

---

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.