1
: not childish or immature : adult
2
: of, for, or characteristic of adults
insisted on wearing grown-up clothes
Examples of grown-up in a Sentence
Adjective
they have yet to find a grown-up way of handling their marital problems
Noun
once you turn 12, you get to eat with the grown-ups at Thanksgiving
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
For families While the crowd skews more grown-up, little ones are also welcome, and there are some small cots, high chairs, and toys available for children.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Inside The Limited XT feels like a grown-up Subaru cabin - useful, roomy and not fussy.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Today’s new wave of halter tops feels grown-up and refined, reimagined in sleek, streamlined shapes that have become fixtures everywhere from the runway to the red carpet — and across the vacation wardrobes defining Euro-summer style.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2026
As luck would have it, that noncommittal length is also very chic and grown-up.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 22 May 2026
Use those fresh plum tomatoes from the farmers' market for this fun, grown-up mac and cheese recipe.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
Footwear with impeccable manners and a very special kind of poise is grown-up in the best sense of the word.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2026
On an album of spectral love songs, the DJ and producer’s misty dream pop feels bigger, bolder, and decidedly grown-up.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2026
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
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Adjective
The new edible notes are warmer, richer and far more grown-up than the cotton candy era that defined early 2010s gourmands.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
For families While the crowd skews more grown-up, little ones are also welcome, and there are some small cots, high chairs, and toys available for children.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Inside The Limited XT feels like a grown-up Subaru cabin - useful, roomy and not fussy.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Today’s new wave of halter tops feels grown-up and refined, reimagined in sleek, streamlined shapes that have become fixtures everywhere from the runway to the red carpet — and across the vacation wardrobes defining Euro-summer style.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2026
As luck would have it, that noncommittal length is also very chic and grown-up.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 22 May 2026
Use those fresh plum tomatoes from the farmers' market for this fun, grown-up mac and cheese recipe.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
Footwear with impeccable manners and a very special kind of poise is grown-up in the best sense of the word.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2026
On an album of spectral love songs, the DJ and producer’s misty dream pop feels bigger, bolder, and decidedly grown-up.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
Reportedly shot for less than $100,000, this tale of Pooh and Piglet all grown-up and running amok recently opened to box office success in Mexico and is currently playing on cinema screens around America.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grown-up. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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