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Definition of quarterlife

quarterlife

/ˈkwɔːr.tərˌlaɪf/
quar · ter · life
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quarterlife Lexical Profile

quarterlife Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or occurring in a person's twenties or early thirties, especially in reference to the transition into full adulthood.

Example

"Many recent college graduates experience a quarterlife crisis as they struggle to establish financial independence."

Antonyms
View all antonyms for quarterlife

• noun

1

The period of a person's life during their twenties and early thirties, roughly corresponding to the first quarter of an adult lifespan.

Example

"Navigating career choices and personal identity during one's quarterlife can be both exciting and overwhelming."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for quarterlife

• Nearby Words

quarterfinal
quarterfinalist
quartering
quarterlife
quarterly
quartermaster
quarters

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 20th century by analogy with "midlife," primarily popularized through the phrase "quarterlife crisis" in the 2001 book by Alexandra Robbins and Abby Wilner.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Quarterlife. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/quarterlife
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