grown-up

grown-up
grown-ups
(The spelling grownup is also used. The syllable up is not stressed when it is a noun.)
1) N-COUNT A grown-up is an adult; used by or to children.

Jan was almost a grown-up...

Tell children to tell a grown-up if they're being bullied.

Syn:
2) ADJ Someone who is grown-up is physically and mentally mature and no longer depends on their parents or another adult.

I seem to have everything anyone could want - a good husband, a lovely home, grown-up children who're doing well.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If you say that someone is grown-up, you mean that they behave in an adult way, often when they are in fact still a child.

She's very grown-up.

4) ADJ-GRADED Grown-up things seem suitable for or typical of adults. [INFORMAL]

Her songs tackle grown-up subjects...

She talked in a grown-up manner.

Syn:

English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • grown-up — grown ,up1 noun count * an ADULT: used when talking to children: Ask a grown up to help you. a. used when there are children involved in a situation: The kids went to the park while we grown ups sat in the backyard. grown up grown ,up 2 adjective …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • grown-up — grown up1 adj 1.) fully developed as an adult ▪ Before you know it, the children will be grown up and leaving home. ▪ I ve got two grown up sons. 2.) behaving in a responsible way, like an adult = ↑mature →↑childish ▪ I expect more grown up… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • grown — grown; in·ter·grown; un·grown; in·grown·ness; …   English syllables

  • grown-up — grown upness, n. /grohn up /, adj. 1. having reached the age of maturity. 2. characteristic of or suitable for adults: grown up behavior; grown up fiction. [1625 35; adj. use of v. phrase grow up] * * * …   Universalium

  • Grown — Grown, p. p. of {Grow}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • grown — p.p. of GROW (Cf. grow). Grown up (adj.) mature is from late 14c.; the noun meaning adult person is from 1813 …   Etymology dictionary

  • grown-up — grown up·ness; grown up; …   English syllables

  • grown-up — grown′ up′ adj. 1) having reached the age of maturity 2) characteristic of or suitable for adults • Etymology: 1625–35 grown′ up′ness, n …   From formal English to slang

  • grown-up — [n] adult gentleman, grown person, lady, mam, man, Miss, mister, Mr., Mrs., Ms., woman; concept 424 Ant. child, youngster …   New thesaurus

  • grown — [grōn] vi., vt. pp. of GROW adj. 1. having completed its growth; fully developed; mature 2. covered with a specified growth 3. cultivated as specified [home grown] …   English World dictionary

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