adulthood
the time in your life when you are an adult
The stage or period of life after childhood and adolescence, when a person is an adult.
the condition of being an adult and having adult responsibilities
The state of being considered an adult, especially with the independence, responsibilities, or legal rights associated with adult life.
- Base: adulthood
- Plural: adulthood
come of age
1reach adulthood or maturity
To reach the age when you are an adult or when something becomes fully developed.
- He came of age at eighteen and inherited the family business.
- The technology has finally come of age and is now widely used.
come of age
1reach adult status
to become old enough to be considered an adult
- She came of age during a time of major social change.
- In this country, citizens come of age at 18.
- The novel follows a boy as he comes of age in a small fishing village.
- He came of age last year.
- The story is about a girl coming of age.
early adulthood
1beginning of adult life
the first years of being an adult
- Career choices made in early adulthood can shape later opportunities.
- Symptoms often first appear in early adulthood.
- He developed a love of cooking in early adulthood.
- She became independent in early adulthood.
- Early adulthood is often a time of change.
emerging adulthood
1extended young-adult transition
the years when young people are adults but are still becoming fully independent
- Researchers use the term emerging adulthood to describe the period from about 18 to 29.
- Financial dependence on parents is common in emerging adulthood.
- Identity exploration is a major theme in studies of emerging adulthood.
- Emerging adulthood can last through the twenties.
reach adulthood
1become an adult
to become an adult
- Many children in the study were followed until they reached adulthood.
- By the time he reached adulthood, he had lived in three different countries.
- Some animals take many years to reach adulthood.
- She reached adulthood in 2020.
- Most people reach legal adulthood at 18.
transition to adulthood
1change into adult life
the process of becoming an adult and taking on adult responsibilities
- Leaving school is often part of the transition to adulthood.
- The organization helps young people in foster care with the transition to adulthood.
- For some teenagers, the transition to adulthood happens very quickly.
- College helped him with the transition to adulthood.
- The transition to adulthood can be difficult.
young adulthood
1early adult years
the first part of adult life
- Many people move away from home during young adulthood.
- The program supports people with disabilities as they enter young adulthood.
- Friendships formed in young adulthood can last for decades.
- She traveled a lot in young adulthood.
- Young adulthood can be an exciting time.