Word
adulthood
Phoneticsadult·hood
US/əˈdəɫtˌhʊd/
UK/ɐdˈʌlthʊd/
Definitions
01the state of being an adult
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of being fully grown and having the mental maturity of an adult.
n. the condition of being physically and psychologically mature. Uncountable in most contexts.
“Learning to manage your own money is a big part of reaching adulthood.”
“The transition into adulthood involves not only biological changes but also the development of emotional resilience and social responsibility.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'reach' or 'enter'.
02the period of life
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the years of your life after you grow up, usually starting at age 18.
n. the period of time in a person's life following childhood and adolescence. Often used to refer to the legal status of majority.
“She spent most of her adulthood living and working in London.”
“Many people find that the responsibilities of adulthood leave them with far less leisure time than they enjoyed during their university years.”
Usage
Commonly preceded by possessive adjectives like 'my', 'his', or 'their'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From adult + -hood.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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