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unadult

unadult

9.9
A person who is not legally an adult, usually a child
  • noun
  • /ˌʌnˈædʌlt/
  • Informal
translation icon : menor
  • An unadult cannot vote or drink alcohol.

Examples

  • The law protects unadults from exploitation.

  • The club does not allow any unadult to enter after 8 p.m.

  • The new policy requires every unadult to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • A museum wristband identifies each unadult visiting the children's gallery today.

  • The new policy requires every unadult to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • An unadult cannot vote or drink alcohol.

  • The club does not allow any unadult to enter after 8 p.m.

Synonyms

minor
vsunadult
190 2.8

A person who is not yet an adult by law

is a more informal or playful label rather than the usual legal term
nonadult
vsunadult
4.6

A person under the legal age of adulthood

is a more informal or colloquial label rather than formal terminology

Antonyms

1.0

A person who is fully grown and no longer a child

How Adult

adult
1.0
unadult
  • Informal
9.9
child
1.0
infant
411 1.0

Surface Forms

unadult singular
unadults plural

Morphology

unadult = adult (transparent) = un + adult

The word is a straightforward negative formation meaning 'not adult' or 'not fully an adult'.

Etymology

Unadult as a noun is simply un- 'not' plus adult 'grown person'; imagine taking away someone's 'adult badge'. An unadult is someone who is not legally or fully an adult, in other words a minor.