वयस्क शब्द के तीन भिन्न अर्थ होते है। पहला: यह एक पूर्ण विकसित व्यक्ति को दर्शाता है, दूसरा: यह एक पौधे या जानवर को भी इंगित करता है जिसने पूर्ण विकास कर लिया हो तीसरा: किसी काम के लिये व्यक्ति ने एक कानूनी उम्र प्राप्त कर ली हो । यह नाबालिग का विलोम होता है।

An adult is a human or other animal that has reached full growth. The biological definition of the word means an animal reaching sexual maturity and thus capable of reproduction. In the human context, the term adult has meanings associated with social and legal concepts. In contrast to a non-adult or "minor", a legal adult is a person who has attained the age of majority and is therefore regarded as independent, self-sufficient, and responsible. They may also be regarded as a "major". The typical age of attaining legal adulthood is 18, although definition may vary by legal rights, country, and psychological development.