fledged

Ready to fly

Fledged describes a young bird that has developed feathers sufficient for flight: The fledged chicks left the nest.

By extension, it applies to people or things that have reached maturity or full development.

The word appears most often in compounds: a fully fledged doctor has completed all training, while a newly fledged graduate has just finished.

See also fledgling.

independent

self-sufficient

Able to provide independently

autonomousSelf-directed and free
emancipatedReleased from subjugation
liberatedReleased from confinement

self-reliant · unfettered · self-standing · launched · departed · flown · solo · untethered · self-supporting

qualified

trained

Taught a skill

skilledHaving learned ability
competentSufficiently able, qualified
proficientHaving practiced ability

experienced · certified · credentialed · accredited · prepared · ready · equipped · capable · professional · journeyman

mature

adult

Mature person, legally responsible

developedGrew or advanced
full-grownAt maximum size
seasonedFlavored or battle-tested

established · blossomed · evolved · complete · ripened · perfected · cultivated · refined · finished · realized

feathered

plumage

Bird's complete feather coat

quillsHollow defensive animal spikes
downToward lower ground
covertsConcealing undergrowth or plumage

primaries · secondaries · winged · molting · preening · nestling · pinfeathers · barbs · vanes · juvenile

Opposites

developmental maturity (birds)

fledgedunfledged

Without developed feathers

unfeathered · nestling · unhatched · hatchling · callow

developmental maturity (figurative/people)

fledgedunfledged

Without developed feathers

inexperienced · immature · green · callow · raw

Phrases

fully fledgedCompletely trained and qualified

Family

fledgling, fledge, full-fledged, unfledged, fledglings, fledging, fledges

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G