mature

[ muh-toor, -tyoor, -choor, -chur ]

adjective

, ma·tur·er, ma·tur·est.

1. complete in natural growth or development, as plant and animal forms:

   a mature rose bush.

   Synonyms: adult, grown, aged

   Antonyms: young, green, raw, childish

2. ripe, as fruit, or fully aged, as cheese or wine.
3. fully developed in body or mind, as a person:

   She was a mature woman who took her family responsibilities seriously.

   Synonyms: adult, grown, aged

   Antonyms: young, green, raw, childish

4. noting or pertaining to an adult who is middle-aged or older (used euphemistically):

   discrimination against mature applicants.

5. pertaining to or characteristic of full development:

   a mature appearance; fruit with a mature softness.

6. completed, perfected, or elaborated in full by the mind:

   mature plans.

   Synonyms: prepared, ready

7. (of an industry, technology, market, etc.) no longer developing or expanding; having little or no potential for further growth or expansion; exhausted or saturated.
8. intended for or restricted to adults, especially by reason of explicit sexual content or the inclusion of violence or obscene language:

   mature movies.

9. composed of adults, considered as being less susceptible than minors to explicit sexual content, violence, or obscene language, as of a film or stage performance:

   for mature audiences only.

10. Finance. having reached the limit of its time; having become payable or due:

    a mature bond.

11. Medicine/Medical.
    1. having attained definitive form or function, as by maturation of an epithelium from a basal layer.
    2. having attained the end stage of a normal or abnormal biological process:

       a mature boil.

12. Geology. (of a landscape) exhibiting the stage of maximum topographical diversity, as in the cycle of erosion of a land surface.

verb (used with object)

, ma·tured, ma·tur·ing.

1. to make mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.

   Synonyms: develop, age

2. to bring to full development:

   His hard experiences in the city matured him.

3. to complete or perfect:

   We matured our vision for the company.

   She matured her songwriting throughout her career.

verb (used without object)

, ma·tured, ma·tur·ing.

1. to become mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.

   Synonyms: develop, age

2. to come to full development:

   Our plans have not yet matured.

3. Finance. to become due, as a note.

mature

/ məˈtjʊə; -ˈtʃʊə /

adjective

1. relatively advanced physically, mentally, emotionally, etc; grown-up
2. (of plans, theories, etc) fully considered; perfected
3. due or payable

   a mature debenture

4. biology
   1. fully developed or differentiated

      a mature cell

   2. fully grown; adult

      a mature animal

5. (of fruit, wine, cheese, etc) ripe or fully aged
6. (of a river valley or land surface) in the middle stage of the cycle of erosion, characterized by meanders, maximum relief, etc See also youthful old

verb

1. to make or become mature
2. intr (of notes, bonds, etc) to become due for payment or repayment

Derived Forms

• maˈturely, adverb
• maˈtureness, noun

Other Words From

• ma·turely adverb
• ma·turement noun
• ma·tureness noun
• ma·turer noun
• half-ma·tured adjective
• nonma·ture adjective
• nonma·turely adverb
• nonma·tureness noun
• over·ma·ture adjective
• over·ma·turely adverb
• over·ma·tureness noun
• self-ma·tured adjective
• semi·ma·ture adjective
• semi·ma·turely adverb
• semi·ma·tureness noun
• unma·ture adjective
• unma·turely adverb
• unma·tured adjective
• unma·turing adjective
• well-ma·tured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mature¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin mātūrus “ripe, timely, early”; akin to manes, matutinal

Word History and Origins

Origin of mature¹

C15: from Latin mātūrus early, developed

Synonym Study

See ripe.

Example Sentences

But if you have a hearing and you prove that someone is mature enough, well then that state interest evaporates.

From The Daily Beast

Doctors have long wrestled with the age of consent when it comes to mature adolescents.

From The Daily Beast

His mature wit and poetic style drew in those around him and we connected instantly.

From The Daily Beast

[But] it is permissible to separate them if the children are grown and mature.

From The Daily Beast

The mixing of mature and innocent can make people uncomfortable, which is often what Boyfriend wants.

From The Daily Beast

I have always kept trouble from you; that is why, at your mature age, you have so little character.

From Project Gutenberg

And now, please note that I want your new work to be wider, deeper, more mature.

From Project Gutenberg

The form is so perfect, mature, and full of style—in the sense that the intention and craftsmanship are everywhere concealed.

From Project Gutenberg

How often an expression in the mature years of a womans life would reveal a long story, if one could but read it.

From Project Gutenberg

It made me smile to remember how mature Patsy had been when I meekly ran her errands and gladly wore her yoke in the old days.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• matured
• sophisticated