adultize

A1D2U1L1T1I1Z10E1

verb

To raise (a child) in such a way that it adopts adult behaviors earlier than is usual.

Scrabble 18
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Meanings

verbadultize (third-person singular simple present adultizes, present participle adultizing, simple past and past participle adultized)

present singular third person adultizes · participle present adultizing · participle past adultized · past adultized · alternative adultise

  1. transitivehuman sciencesTo raise (a child) in such a way that it adopts adult behaviors earlier than is usual.

    Talk with them in an adult manner, but do not "adultize" them. Do not expect them to be miniature adults.

    1986, Joanne Rand Whitmore, Intellectual Giftedness in Young Children: Recognition and Development, page 86

Origin

From adult + -ize.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 成人化
  • 成人化 (chéngrénhuà)to raise a child such that he adopts adult behaviors earlier
Finnish aikuistaa
  • aikuistaato raise a child such that he adopts adult behaviors earlier
Portuguese adultizar
  • adultizarto raise a child such that he adopts adult behaviors earlier
Cite this entry
APA

adultize. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adultize

MLA

“adultize.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adultize. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “adultize,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adultize.

Source: adultize on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.