[‘ An adult who has retained the interests, behaviour, or lifestyle of adolescence. Cf. kidult n. and adj., /Middle Youth/ n. at middle adj. and n. Special uses 1.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌadʌlˈtɛsnt/, U.S. /ˌædəlˈtɛs(ə)nt/
Etymology:Punning alteration of adolescent n., after adult n. Compare -escent suffix.
Chiefly Journalism (orig. Marketing).
An adult who has retained the interests, behaviour, or lifestyle of adolescence. Cf. kidult n. and adj., /Middle Youth/ n. at middle adj. and n. Special uses 1.
1996 /Precision Marketing/ 17 June 21/4 Consider the importance of adultescents to the music biz—they make up over a third of the audience at gigs, but have more cash to spend than teenagers.
2004 /N.Y. Times/ (National ed.) 26 Dec. iv. 4/3 The cost of housing and education..has made it harder for young people..to afford homes and children… But if you ask adultescents why they haven’t grown up, they may give you a simple answer: because they don’t have to.
2007 C. Daniels /Ghettonation/ i. 37 Adultescents can have full-time jobs and live with their mothers.