Family / A2

AD-ult/ˈædʌlt/

When a person is fully grown, they are an adult — not a child. Adult is a noun (an adult) and an adjective (adult tickets, adult education). Grown-up is the friendly word you hear with children; adult sounds more official. Say adults, not “adults people.”

Meaning

A person who is fully grown; not a child.

Examples

• “Only adults can buy a ticket here.”
• “Only an adult can sign the form.”
• “The film is for adult viewers.”

Good to know

Noun and adjective. Informal: grown-up. adult + noun (adult class).

Near in meaning

grown-up

Topics

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