precocious

American  

[pri-koh-shuhs] / prɪˈkoʊ ʃəs /

adjective

1. unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development.

   a precocious child.

2. prematurely developed, as the mind, faculties, etc.

3. of or relating to premature development.

4. Botany.

   1. flowering, fruiting, or ripening early, as plants or fruit.

   2. bearing blossoms before leaves, as plants.

   3. appearing before leaves, as flowers.

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precocious British  

/ prɪˈkɒsɪtɪ, prɪˈkəʊʃəs /

adjective

1. ahead in development, such as the mental development of a child

2. botany (of plants, fruit, etc) flowering or ripening early

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precocious Scientific  

/ prĭ-kō′shəs /

1. Relating to or having flowers that blossom before the leaves emerge. Some species of magnolias are precocious.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unprecocious
  adjective
• unprecociousness
  noun
• unprecociously
  adverb
• precociousness
  noun
• precociously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of precocious

1640–50; Latin praecoci-, stem of praecox ( see precocity) + -ous

Explanation

That high school hoops phenom who plays like an NBA pro? The sixth grader who's already asking questions about organic chemistry? They're both precocious — meaning they're way beyond their years in skill or knowledge. When you look at the Latin roots of precocious, it all makes sense. When pre (meaning "before") joins coquere (meaning "to ripen"), you have something that is ripening prematurely. And in the case of precocious, you are usually describing young people who have some adult-like quality about them. Maybe it's their vast vocabulary, maybe it's their ease with calculus, or maybe it's just applying lipstick.

Example Sentences

Precocious puberty was rising before the pandemic, by about three months per decade since 1977.

From Salon • Aug. 4, 2023

Precocious country star Taylor Swift found success quickly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2022

Precocious and prolific, he scored a No. 1 hit for singer Gogi Grant in 1956 with his version of “The Wayward Wind.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2017

Precocious puberty is a medical term for puberty that begins in girls under 8 and boys under 9, sometimes from an underlying condition, such as a brain tumor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2016

In another volume I purpose to write the Further Adventures of a Precocious Boy, and after that go on to the Secret of my Life up to present time.

From Forbidden Fruit Luscious and exciting story and More forbidden fruit or Master Percy's progress in and beyond the domestic circle by Anonymous

Related Words

• bright
• cocky
• intelligent
• mature