adulthood
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the state of being fully grown and having the mental maturity of an adult.
the condition of being physically and psychologically mature. Uncountable in most contexts.
Simple“Learning to manage your own money is a big part of reaching adulthood.”
In context“The transition into adulthood involves not only biological changes but also the development of emotional resilience and social responsibility.”
UsageOften used with the verbs 'reach' or 'enter'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
the years of your life after you grow up, usually starting at age 18.
the period of time in a person's life following childhood and adolescence. Often used to refer to the legal status of majority.
Simple“She spent most of her adulthood living and working in London.”
In context“Many people find that the responsibilities of adulthood leave them with far less leisure time than they enjoyed during their university years.”
UsageCommonly preceded by possessive adjectives like 'my', 'his', or 'their'.
SynonymsAntonyms
From adult + -hood.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.