fullorðna

Fullorðna is an Icelandic adjective meaning “adult.” It is used to describe someone who has reached maturity and is considered fully developed physically, socially, and legally. In everyday language it appears in phrases such as fullorðna kona, meaning an adult woman, and fullorðinn maður, meaning an adult man. Like other Icelandic adjectives, fullorðna changes form to agree with the gender and case of the noun it modifies; fullorðna represents the feminine singular form commonly used before a feminine noun in ordinary usage.

The term also signals the transition from minority to adulthood in social and legal contexts. In Iceland, adulthood is generally recognized at 18 years of age for most purposes, including entering contracts, voting in elections, and assuming legal responsibilities. Specific rights and duties can vary by context, with some activities subject to different age restrictions. Beyond legal status, the concept of fullorðna encompasses maturity in psychological, social, and economic terms, affecting education, employment, independence, and family life.

In linguistic and demographic discussions, fullorðna is used to refer to the adult segment of the population and to describe phenomena related to adulthood within Icelandic-speaking communities. It appears in formal writing, media, and academic work when distinguishing adults from minors or when analyzing social policy and population structure.

See also: Icelandic language, Adulthood, Age of majority, Demographics.