maturate

[ mach-uh-reyt ]

verb (used without object)

, mat·u·rat·ed, mat·u·rat·ing.

1. Pathology. to suppurate.
2. to mature.

maturate

/ ˈmætjʊˌreɪt; məˈtjʊərətɪv; ˈmætʃʊ-; məˈtʃʊə- /

verb

1. to mature or bring to maturity
2. See suppurate
   a less common word for suppurate

Derived Forms

• maturative, adjective

Other Words From

• ma·tur·a·tive [m, uh, -, choor, -, uh, -tiv, mach, -, uh, -rey-], adjective
• non·matu·rative adjective
• unma·tura·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maturate¹

1535–45; < Latin mātūrātus, past participle of mātūrāre to grow ripe, bring to maturity. See mature, -ate ¹

More About Maturate

What does maturate mean?

Maturate means to reach or progress toward a stage of full or advanced development.

Maturate is a more formal and technical synonym for the verb mature (meaning to become mature or bring to maturity).

Maturate is most often used in scientific contexts, especially involving the development of living things. Specifically, it can mean to form reproductive cells.

It can also mean to produce or discharge pus, such as from a wound (a more common word for this is suppurate).

The process of maturating (or maturing) is maturation.

Example: The fruits are picked only after they have maturated on the vine.

Where does maturate come from?

The first records of maturate come from the 1500s. It derives from the Latin verb mātūrāre, meaning “to grow ripe” or “to bring to maturity.” In Middle English, maturation meant “suppuration” (the discharge of pus from a wound) and is still sometimes used in this way today.

Maturate means about the same thing as mature, but it’s much more formal and much less commonly used—it’s almost always used in technical contexts. A person usually isn’t said to maturate—they mature. (However, the noun form maturation is perhaps most commonly used to refer to the process of a person maturing.)

The other uses of maturate are often scientific, especially within the field of biology. Some foods that are aged can be said to be maturated.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of maturate?

• mature (verb, adjective)
• maturation (noun)
• maturative (adjective)
• nonmaturative (adjective)
• unmaturative (adjective)

What are some synonyms for maturate?

• mature
• suppurate

What are some words that share a root or word element with maturate? 

• maturity

What are some words that often get used in discussing maturate?

• growth
• development
• cell
• gamete
• pus

How is maturate used in real life?

Maturate is often used in a formal or technical way.

Dendritic cells maturated by co-culturing with HIV-1 latently infected Jurkat T cells or stimulating with AIDS-as… https://t.co/y5VHP6efTP

— Mycobacterium Papers (@MycobactPapers) August 2, 2017

15 years maturating in our legendary No.1 Vaults is time well spent for this rich, sherried whisky. Treasure it. pic.twitter.com/pgd1RlguW5

— Bowmore Whisky (@bowmore) December 20, 2018

Act of Kindness Friday: Frustrated w/someone? Civilly express your feelings before allowing them to maturate into an anger filled tirade.

— Byron Saxton (@ByronSaxton) January 5, 2018

 

 

Try using maturate!

True or False? 

Maturate is always used in the same way as mature.