Etymology Map
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Adult

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a fully grown person

Where does the word "adult" come from? It comes from Latin adultus, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
adultus
Latin · ancient
"grown up"
past participle of 'adolescere', to grow up, the root of 'adolescent'
2
Stage 2 of 2
adult
English · 1530s
"grown up"
'adult' as a euphemism for sexual content dates from the 1950s
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Read the full story

Adult’s story begins in Latin: adultus meant “grown up.” Past participle of 'adolescere', to grow up, the root of 'adolescent'. It reached English by 1530s as adult. 'adult' as a euphemism for sexual content dates from the 1950s. Today, adult means a fully grown person.