adult

adult

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "adult" can vary slightly depending on the dialect, but two common pronunciations are:

• /əˈdʌlt/ (most common in American English)

• /ˈædʌlt/ (also common, particularly as an adjective, and in British English)

Let's break down the sounds of each syllable for the American English pronunciation /əˈdʌlt:

• First Syllable: /ə/

• /ə/: The schwa sound, a very short and unstressed vowel sound, similar to the "a" in "sofa."

• Second Syllable: /dʌlt/

• /d/: Voiced alveolar plosive, like the "d" in "dog."

• /ʌ/: The "strut" vowel sound, like the "u" in "cut."

• /l/: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant, like the "l" in "light."

• /t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive, like the "t" in "top."

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Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: adult

• Plural Noun: adults

• Adjective: adult

• Adverb: adult-like (less common, but can describe something resembling an adult)

• Verb: adult (less common, usually in informal contexts like "to adult" meaning to act like an adult or take on adult responsibilities)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

1. Definition: A person who has reached the age of maturity, typically defined legally as 18 years old or older, and is therefore considered responsible and independent.

• Synonyms: grown-up, mature person, elder (in some contexts)

• Antonyms: child, minor, juvenile, youngster, adolescent

2. Definition: A fully grown or mature animal or plant.

• Synonyms: mature specimen, full-grown organism

• Antonyms: juvenile, offspring, seedling (for plants), cub/pup/kitten (for animals)

Adjective

1. Definition: Of, relating to, or characteristic of a fully grown person; mature in thought or behavior.

• Synonyms: mature, grown-up, responsible, sophisticated, developed

• Antonyms: childish, juvenile, immature, adolescent, infantile

2. Definition: Suitable for or intended for adults, often implying content of a sexual or otherwise explicit nature.

• Synonyms: explicit, mature, X-rated, restricted

• Antonyms: wholesome, family-friendly, G-rated, innocent

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 Examples of Use

• Books:

• "The protagonist, a struggling artist, grappled with the complexities of adult life, from financial woes to navigating tricky relationships." (From a fictional novel)

• "While the book is often categorized as young adult fiction, its themes of identity and belonging resonate with readers of all ages." (From a literary review, The Guardian, March 2023)

• Newspapers:

• "Local officials announced a new initiative offering free job training programs for adults seeking to re-enter the workforce." (The New York Times)

• "The museum unveiled a new exhibit designed to engage both children and adults with interactive displays on environmental science." (Chicago Tribune)

• Online Publications:

• "Is it ever too late to learn a new skill? Experts weigh in on the benefits of lifelong learning for adults." (From an article on Psychology Today)

• "Many online streaming platforms now offer a dedicated 'kids' profile to filter out content deemed inappropriate for younger viewers, ensuring only adult content is accessible on other profiles." (From a tech blog, TechCrunch)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "The film explores the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adult responsibility in a coming-of-age story." (From a movie review, Variety, December 2023)

• Television: "This animated series is surprisingly popular with adults due to its clever humor and subtle social commentary." (From a TV show discussion forum, Reddit, October 2022)

• Video Games: "The latest installment in the fantasy RPG series offers a more mature storyline and complex themes, clearly targeting an adult audience." (From a video game review, IGN, June 2024)

• Music: "Her new album delves into themes of adult heartbreak and resilience, marking a significant departure from her earlier work." (From an music critique, Pitchfork, May 2023)

• General Public Discourse:

• "It's important for adults to set good examples for children, both in their actions and their words." (Common saying)

• "After years of studying, she finally felt like an adult, ready to take on the world and her own career." (Personal anecdote)

• "The community center offers a variety of classes for adults, from yoga to pottery, catering to diverse interests." (Flyer from a local community center)

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10 Quotes Using Adult

1. "The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise." (Alden Nowlan)

2. "You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway." (Walt Disney)

3. "To be adult is to be alone." (Jean Rostand)

4. "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." (H. G. Wells)

5. "I believe that maturity is not an outgrowing, but a growing up: that an adult is not a dead child, but a child who survived." (Ursula K. Le Guin)

6. "Fettuccini alfredo is macaroni and cheese for adults." (Mitch Hedberg)

7. "Adult life is dealing with an enormous amount of questions that don't have answers." (Bruce Springsteen)

8. "I have lived a great deal among grown-ups. I have seen them intimately, close at hand. And that hasn't much improved my opinion of them." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince)

9. "Grown ups are complicated creatures, full of quirks and secrets." (Roald Dahl, Danny the Champion of the World)

10. "I don't think I'd have been in such a hurry to reach adulthood if I'd known the whole thing was going to be ad-libbed." (Bill Watterson)

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Etymology

The word "adult" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "adultus," which literally means "grown up" or "mature."

This Latin word "adultus" itself comes from the verb "adolēscere," which means "to grow up" or "to come to maturity." You might notice how this is also where we get the word "adolescent" – so "adolescent" basically means "growing up," while "adult" means "grown up."

The first known use of "adult" in English was in the mid-1500s, specifically around 1531. At that time, it was used as an adjective, meaning "grown, mature." It took a little longer, until the mid-1600s (around 1650s), for "adult" to start being used as a noun to refer to a "grown-up person."

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Adult

• Adult supervision: Oversight by a mature person, typically for children or a less experienced group.

• Adult contemporary: A genre of popular music.

• Adult film/Adult movie: A film containing sexually explicit material.

• Adult content: Material, often online, that is sexually explicit or otherwise unsuitable for children.

• To adult: (Informal, often humorous) To behave like a responsible grown-up, especially when doing mundane or difficult tasks.

• Adulting: (Informal, often humorous) The act of performing tasks and responsibilities typically associated with adulthood.

• Adult learning: Education for people who are past the typical age of schooling.

• Adult education: Similar to adult learning, programs designed for grown-ups.

• Grown-up talk: Serious or mature conversation, often implying something not for children's ears.

• Big boy/girl pants: (Idiom, humorous) To act mature and take responsibility.

• Mature audience: Viewers or readers for whom content is deemed appropriate, often implying themes beyond a general audience.

• Come of age: To reach maturity, often referring to a person or a genre.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of adult from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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