WordGarden.iothirtysomething
Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈθɜrtiˌsəmθɪŋ/
Meanings
Noun
a person in their thirties
Adjective
aged somewhere in one's thirties
Beyond the definition
"Thirtysomething" isn't just an age; it's a little slice of life, often referring to the experiences and anxieties of people navigating their thirties. It originally burst onto the scene as the title of a popular 1980s television show that followed a group of young professionals in Philadelphia—dealing with careers, relationships, and the general messiness of adulthood. Now it's used more broadly to describe anyone in that age range, often implying they're grappling with similar themes: career plateaus, starting families, questioning life choices, or simply feeling the weight of responsibility settle in.
You might hear someone say, "She's a classic thirtysomething—constantly re-evaluating her path." Or, "The show really captured what it was like to be a thirtysomething in the late 80s." It's not just about being thirty-something years old; it carries a cultural connotation of a specific life stage.
"Thirtysomething" is a term that goes beyond simply denoting someone's age. While literally meaning "in their thirties," it has evolved to represent a particular demographic and the common experiences associated with that decade of life. It gained prominence as the title of a critically acclaimed television drama, thirtysomething, which aired from 1987 to 1991. The show realistically portrayed the lives of a group of baby boomers in their thirties—their careers, marriages, friendships, and anxieties about the future.
Because of this cultural impact, "thirtysomething" now often implies more than just age. It suggests someone who is established (or trying to be) in their career, possibly starting or raising a family, and grappling with questions of identity, purpose, and fulfillment. It can evoke a sense of nostalgia for the 80s and 90s, but also speaks to universal themes of adulthood that resonate across generations.
The term is often used informally, sometimes playfully, to describe people in this age group. You might hear someone say, "She's a thirtysomething lawyer trying to change careers," or "That article really spoke to my experience as a thirtysomething woman." It can also be used as an adjective: "a thirtysomething couple," "thirtysomething anxieties."
While the show thirtysomething focused on a specific generation, the term has broadened to encompass anyone navigating the complexities of their thirties. It's a shorthand way of acknowledging that this decade can be a time of significant transition and self-discovery—a period where you're no longer quite "young" but not yet fully "middle-aged."
Examples
- 1
Entrepreneurship
She's a thirtysomething who just started her own business.
- 2
Work and family
The app was designed for busy thirtysomethings trying to manage work and family life.
- 3
Fiction
The novel follows two thirtysomething sisters after their father dies.
- 4
Personal age
Now that I'm thirtysomething, staying out until 2 a.m. feels like a bad idea.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Age estimate
He looked thirtysomething, but I couldn't guess his exact age.
- Patternlook thirtysomething
seem to be somewhere in your thirties
See also
Similar
- person in their thirties
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- a thirtysomething woman
- thirtysomething professionals
- single thirtysomething
Word family
- -something
Explore
- age cohort
- life stage
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- thirtysomething