preadult

adjective

pre·​adult ˌprē-ə-ˈdəlt 

-ˈa-ˌdəlt

: preceding adulthood

preadult years/experiences

: not yet having reached adulthood or the adult stage of development

preadult students

preadult larvae

preadult noun

or pre-adult

plural preadults or pre-adults

… referring to adults behaving and living as if they are preadults.

—David Pitt

preadulthood

ˌprē-ə-ˈdəlt-ˌhu̇d 

noun

or pre-adulthood

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

preadult

adjective

pre·​adult -ə-ˈdəlt, -ˈad-ˌəlt 

: occurring or existing prior to adulthood