mature

American  

[muh-toor, -tyoor, -choor, -chur] / məˈtʊər, -ˈtyʊər, -ˈtʃʊər, -ˈtʃɜr /

adjective

maturer, maturest

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.

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verb (used with object)

matured, maturing

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)

matured, maturing

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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to make or become mature

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

Usage

What does mature mean? If a person is mature, they act grown-up. If an animal is mature, it has reached adulthood. If a fruit is mature, it’s ripe. If a game or movie is intended for a mature audience, it means it’s for adults because it’s inappropriate for kids. Mature has many meanings in addition to the common ones above. It is most commonly used as an adjective, but it can also be a verb meaning to become mature or to make mature. Example: Some of my students are very mature and responsible, but the rest of them act like preschoolers.

Related Words

See ripe.

Other Word Forms

• half-matured adjective
• maturely adverb
• maturement noun
• matureness noun
• maturer noun
• nonmature adjective
• nonmaturely adverb
• nonmatureness noun
• overmature adjective
• overmaturely adverb
• overmatureness noun
• self-matured adjective
• semimature adjective
• semimaturely adverb
• semimatureness noun
• unmature adjective
• unmatured adjective
• unmaturely adverb
• unmaturing adjective
• well-matured adjective

Etymology

Origin of mature

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

Explanation

Someone who is mature acts grown up, like an adult. However, when one sister says to another, "That's so mature," she's usually using the word sarcastically, because her sister has done something very immature, like sticking out her tongue. The adjective mature doesn't only describe advancing age, although the residents of a senior citizens' home could definitely be considered mature. Anything that is fully developed, like an aged cheese or bottle of wine, can also be called mature. The word can also refer to something that is only appropriate for people who are considered legal adults, like the movie that is for "mature audiences only."

Example Sentences

You two share a really mature conversation in the reunion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

A liability-sensitive bank will benefit quickly from a decline in short-term rates, as its cost of funds declines more rapidly than its loans mature and are renewed at lower rates.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

“We see margin tailwinds for defense contractors as they move past stale-priced contracts and receive awards for mature production programs that are margin accretive,” added Mikus.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Because private-credit loans don’t trade, their true value is unknowable until they mature or are sold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Even when you’ve recently turned fifteen without a birthday cake, it’s hard to be that mature about Christmas.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• bloom
• blossom
• develop
• evolve
• grow
• grow up
• mellow
• mushroom
• ripen