kidult
lowinformal
Definition
Meaning
An adult who enjoys activities, entertainment, or products typically associated with children.
A portmanteau of 'kid' and 'adult', referring to an adult who retains or cultivates interests (e.g., cartoons, video games, toys) considered juvenile, or to media/products designed to appeal to both children and adults.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in marketing, media, and cultural commentary. Can be neutral, descriptive, or slightly pejorative depending on context, implying either playful nostalgia or prolonged immaturity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition. Both varieties use the term similarly.
Connotations
In British English, often linked to 'man-child' culture and nostalgia. In American English, strongly associated with consumer and entertainment industries targeting adults (e.g., Disney, Lego).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to marketing discourse, but remains relatively rare in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] kidultkidult + nounadjective + kidultVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing to describe products and media that target adults with childlike interests.
Academic
Rare; may appear in cultural studies, sociology, or media studies discussing consumerism and aging.
Everyday
Informal term to describe someone who enjoys typically childish hobbies.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The shop specialises in kidult comics and collectables.
- He has a very kidult taste in television programmes.
American English
- The channel broadcasts kidult cartoons on weekend mornings.
- She's into kidult video games and action figures.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother is a kidult because he loves watching cartoons.
- Many kidults enjoy playing video games and collecting toys.
- The rise of kidult culture has led to more adult-oriented animation and nostalgic toys.
- Marketers are increasingly targeting the kidult demographic with products that blend nostalgia and sophisticated design.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Combine 'kid' and 'adult' — a kidult is an adult who still has a kid's tastes.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADULTHOOD IS CHILDHOOD (blurring life stages)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'ребенок-взрослый', which might imply a child acting like an adult. Instead, explain the concept descriptively.
- The term is a portmanteau without a single-word equivalent in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kidult' to describe a child acting like an adult (it's the opposite).
- Misspelling as 'kidault' or 'kidultt'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'kidult'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal term used primarily in popular culture, media, and marketing.
Yes, it is commonly used attributively (e.g., 'kidult movie', 'kidult audience') to describe products or media that appeal to adults with childlike interests.
It is a portmanteau of 'kid' and 'adult', first recorded in the late 20th century, gaining traction in the 2000s with marketing and cultural trends.
It can be either. It may be used neutrally or positively to describe a lifestyle or market segment, or negatively to imply immaturity and reluctance to grow up.