preadult

Preadult is an informal, non-legal term used to describe a person who lies between adolescence and full adulthood. It connotes ongoing development and often continued dependence or incomplete readiness for adult roles. There is no fixed age range, and the term’s applicability varies by culture, country, and social context.

In sociology, media studies, marketing, and youth culture discourse, preadult is used to describe late adolescents and young adults who have not yet established independent finances, stable housing, long-term commitments, or fully developed self-regulation. While commonly applied to individuals in their late teens to mid-twenties, some usage extends into the early thirties. The concept is distinct from legal adulthood, which is defined by law.

Related terms include emerging adulthood, an academic framework describing a life stage focused on exploration and transition, and young adult, a broader label used in literature and marketing. Preadult differs in emphasizing perceived maturation status rather than strictly demographic age.

Criticism notes that the term is vague and culturally contingent, risking oversimplification or stereotyping of a diverse group. Because it is informal, its meaning can shift across contexts and should be interpreted with attention to cultural and legal norms. See also emerging adulthood, adolescence, and young adult.