(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
An ~ is a mature, fully developed person. An ~ has reached the age when they are legally responsible for their actions.
Becoming a father signified that he was now an ~...
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an ~.
? minor
N-COUNT
2.
An ~ is a fully developed animal.
...a pair of ~ birds.
? juvenile
N-COUNT: oft N n
3.
Adult means relating to the time when you are an ~, or typical of ~ people.
I’ve lived most of my ~ life in London.
ADJ: ADJ n
4.
If you say that someone is ~ about something, you think that they act in a mature, intelligent way, especially when faced with a difficult situation.
We were very ~ about it. We discussed it rationally over a drink.
= mature
ADJ: v-link ADJ approval
5.
You can describe things such as films or books as ~ when they deal with sex in a very clear and open way.
...an ~ movie.
ADJ