adult

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   (of animals) fully developed

   an adult animal

2. 2
   noun

   An animal that is full-grown.

   The young not only differs from the adult by the presence of its gills, but its feet are only developed by degrees, and in several genera there are also a deciduous beak and tail, and intestines of a different form

3. 3
   adj

   Fully grown.

   an adult human, animal, or plant

4. 4
   adj

   Intended for or restricted to adults rather than children due to size, maturity, knowledge level, judgement, etc.

   adult clothes; adult cereal; an adult documentary

5. 5
   verb

   To behave like an adult.

   Adulting is hard!

6. 6
   verb

   To (cause to) be or become an adult.

   Womanhood was achieved at twenty-one, when the female was "adulted"; manhood was fully achieved at twenty-five, […]

7. 7
   adj

   designed to arouse lust

8. 8
   noun

   any mature animal

Etymology

From French adulte, from Latin adultus (“grown up”), perfect passive participle of adolescō (“to grow up”). Compare adolescent.