What does adultlike mean?
Adultlike is an adjective used to describe someone or something that resembles or displays the qualities of an adult — maturity, self-control, seriousness, and sound judgment. It is most often applied to children or teenagers who behave with a composure beyond their years, as in a child who responds to setbacks with adultlike patience, but it can also describe physical traits, such as an adultlike build or voice. The word is formed transparently from 'adult' combined with the familiar suffix '-like', which attaches to nouns to mean 'resembling' (as in childlike and lifelike). Its connotations are generally favorable: to call someone adultlike is usually praise, suggesting responsibility and level-headedness. While less common than synonyms like 'mature' or 'grown-up', it offers a precise, descriptive nuance, particularly in writing about development, parenting, or exceptional poise in the young.
adjectiveResembling or characteristic of an adult; having the maturity, seriousness, or behavior typically associated with grown-up people.
- Having or showing the maturity, judgment, or seriousness typical of an adult.
- Resembling an adult in appearance or physical form.
"Her calm, adultlike response to the crisis impressed even the most senior members of the team."
"Despite being only twelve, he handled the negotiation with a remarkably adultlike composure."
"The young actor's adultlike stature allowed her to play characters far older than herself."
It's one of the few English words that turns 'acting your age' into a compliment rather than a scolding.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adultlike
The word adultlike combines 'adult', which entered English in the 16th century from the Latin 'adultus', meaning 'grown up' — the past participle of 'adolescere', 'to grow up' — with the native English suffix '-like', meaning 'having the characteristics of'. The '-like' suffix has been a productive way of forming resemblance adjectives in English since the Middle English period, giving us words such as childlike and lifelike. Adultlike thus literally means 'having the likeness of an adult', and its Latin root also underlies related words such as adolescent and adolescence.
How adultlike is actually used
A relatively uncommon compound formed transparently from 'adult' plus the suffix '-like'. It carries a positive connotation when praising someone's maturity, especially a young person, but can feel slightly formal or literary compared with the more colloquial 'grown-up'.
Easily confused with adultlike
Adulthood is a noun naming the stage of life after childhood, while adultlike is an adjective describing qualities that resemble those of an adult.