young adult — person in late teens or twenties
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
A young adult is someone who is no longer a teenager but not yet fully middle-aged, usually in their late teens or twenties.
Say it like a native
Textbook Individuals in the early stages of adulthood frequently relocate.
Native Young adults tend to move around a lot.
Natural; 'individuals in the early stages of adulthood' is census language.
Pattern: young adult (noun, countable); a young adult / young adults
In use
- Many young adults move out of their parents' homes when they start university.daily life
- As a young adult, I think it's important to learn how to manage your own finances and make independent decisions.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He is a young adult man of 22 years.
✓ He's a young adult. / He's 22.
'Young adult' already gives the age band — no need for 'man of 22 years'.
Common collocations
a young adult— as a, many, novel, aimed at
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'teenager' (13–19 years old) or 'adult' (anyone over 18, but often older).