Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

subadult

Adjective

/ˌsʌb.əˈdʌlt/

Definition

A stage of development that occurs after juvenile but before adult, typically used to describe animals.

Examples

The subadult eagle was still learning to hunt effectively.
In some species, subadult individuals can be differentiated by size and plumage.
A subadult elephant is typically more independent than a juvenile, but it still needs to learn from adults.

Meaning

Subadult refers to an organism that has not yet reached full maturity, often displaying some adult characteristics but still possessing traits typical of a younger stage.