premature

American  

[pree-muh-choor, -toor, -tyoor, pree-muh-choor, prem-uh-, prem-uh-] / ˌpri məˈtʃʊər, -ˈtʊər, -ˈtyʊər, ˈpri məˌtʃʊər, ˌprɛm ə-, ˈprɛm ə- /

adjective

1. occurring, coming, or done too soon.

   a premature announcement.

2. mature or ripe before the proper time.

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noun

1. a premature infant.

premature British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of premature

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

Example Sentences

“While it remains premature to expect rate hikes this year, the growth-inflation dynamics suggest that the next policy move is more likely to be a rate hike rather than a rate cut,” DBS said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Siobhan and her husband have been warned that James may have problems with his eyes, lungs and stomach because of his premature birth.

From BBC

But figures last month indicate the announcement was premature, with the crossover unlikely to happen for at least another year.

From Barron's

As England's players stood stark, separate and slumped - and Italy celebrated a first-ever win in the fixture - talk of a crisis, perhaps premature before, felt entirely apt.

From BBC

The floor is covered in the ash of catastrophic red cards, premature or delayed sackings and formations that make little sense.

From BBC

Related Words

• immature
• incomplete
• untimely