# adulthood

/əˈdəɫtˌhʊd/ (US) · /ɐdˈʌlthʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adulthood
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the state of being an adult

noun · CEFR B1

the state of being fully grown and having the mental maturity of an adult.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. the period of life

noun · CEFR B1

the years of your life after you grow up, usually starting at age 18.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- Most people look forward to the freedom of adulthood.
- Moving into your own apartment is often seen as the first real step into adulthood.
- The transition from adolescence to adulthood is marked by a significant shift in legal status and the expectation of financial self-sufficiency.

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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.