come of age

come of age (slightly formal)

1. to reach the age when you are an adult and are legally responsible for your behaviour. So what of all the fifty-thousand youngsters who come of age this spring? Who will they be voting for?

2. something or someone that has come of age has reached full, successful, development. After years of sophisticated mimicry, Japanese design has come of age.

See also: age, come

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come of age

1. to become an adult. Your son's children have now come of age. Of all the kids who come of age this year, how many will actually vote?

2. to develop completely. The idea of equality in the workplace has come of age.

See also: age, come