premature

[pree-muh-choor, -toor, -tyoor, pree-muh-choor, prem-uh-, prem-uh-]

adjective

1. occurring, coming, or done too soon.

   a premature announcement.

2. mature or ripe before the proper time.

noun

1. a premature infant.

premature

/ ˌprɛməˈtjʊə, ˈprɛməˌtjʊə /

adjective

1. occurring or existing before the normal or expected time

2. impulsive or hasty

   a premature judgment

3. (of an infant) weighing less than 2500 g (5 1/ 2 lbs) and usually born before the end of the full period of gestation

Other Word Forms

• prematurely adverb
• prematurity noun
• prematureness noun
• unpremature adjective
• unprematurely adverb
• unprematureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of premature¹

From the Latin word praemātūrus, dating back to 1520–30. See pre-, mature

Word History and Origins

Origin of premature¹

C16: from Latin praemātūrus, very early, from prae in advance + mātūrus ripe

Example Sentences

On Sunday when the arrests were made, the prosecutor criticised the "premature disclosure" of information related to the case, adding that it hindered efforts to recover the jewels and find the thieves.

Read more on BBC

It would be premature for MLB to determine what action it might take against the Angels — if any — until all evidence is revealed in court and a verdict or a settlement is reached.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was a grim and premature end to a career that might well have flourished with more years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Much of the coverage was premature and dangerous, making it appear as if nothing in our politics has changed, when of course it has.

Read more on Salon

Should Powell refer to such terms as “inflation persistence,” “premature easing” or “financial conditions too loose,” markets will interpret it as the message that rate cuts are not on the horizon anytime soon.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• immature 
• incomplete 
• untimely