mature

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

/ məˈtʊər, -ˈtyʊər, -ˈtʃʊər, -ˈtʃɜr /

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adjective, ma·tur·er, ma·tur·est.

complete in natural growth or development, as plant and animal forms: a mature rose bush.

ripe, as fruit, or fully aged, as cheese or wine.

fully developed in body or mind, as a person: She was a mature woman who took her family responsibilities seriously.

noting or pertaining to an adult who is middle-aged or older (used euphemistically): discrimination against mature applicants.

pertaining to or characteristic of full development: a mature appearance; fruit with a mature softness.

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

(of an industry, technology, market, etc.) no longer developing or expanding; having little or no potential for further growth or expansion; exhausted or saturated.

intended for or restricted to adults, especially by reason of explicit sexual content or the inclusion of violence or obscene language: mature movies.

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.

Finance. having reached the limit of its time; having become payable or due: a mature bond.

Medicine/Medical.

having attained definitive form or function, as by maturation of an epithelium from a basal layer.
having attained the end stage of a normal or abnormal biological process: a mature boil.

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.

to make mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.

to bring to full development: His hard experiences in the city matured him.

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.

to become mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.

to come to full development: Our plans have not yet matured.

Finance. to become due, as a note.

Nearby words

matura diamond, maturate, maturation, maturation arrest, maturation division, mature, mature bacteriophage, mature cataract, mature student, mature-onset diabetes, maturely

Origin of mature

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin mātūrus ripe, timely, early; akin to manes, matutinal

SYNONYMS FOR mature

1, 3 aged, grown, adult.

2 See ripe.

6 ready, prepared.

13, 16 age, develop.

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ANTONYMS FOR mature

1, 3 childish, raw, green, young.

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Related forms

ma·ture·ly, adverbma·ture·ment, nounma·ture·ness, nounma·tur·er, noun

half-ma·tured, adjectivenon·ma·ture, adjectivenon·ma·ture·ly, adverbnon·ma·ture·ness, nouno·ver·ma·ture, adjectiveo·ver·ma·ture·ly, adverbo·ver·ma·ture·ness, nounself-ma·tured, adjectivesem·i·ma·ture, adjectivesem·i·ma·ture·ly, adverbsem·i·ma·ture·ness, nounun·ma·ture, adjectiveun·ma·ture·ly, adverbun·ma·tured, adjectiveun·ma·tur·ing, adjectivewell-ma·tured, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for matures

You will find a site that matures close to 200,000 casks of whisky.
Ester Elchies, The Estate Built By Whiskey||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His family had to flee, and he goes on a geographic as well as an inward journey as the young Qais matures fast.
A Carpet Weaver’s Essential Afghan Memoir: Qais Akbar Omar’s ‘A Fort of Nine Towers’|John Kael Weston|June 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By May, its bulb can grow as big as two centimeters, and turns pink and then a deep red as it matures.
The Wonderful World of Ramps|Jeff Gimmel|April 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I don't know what that's going to turn into when he matures.
Harold Ramis Gets Down to Funny Business|Kim Masters|June 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST

You want the cattle that's easiest handled, and easiest sold, and that matures quickest and keeps in best condition.
Saddle and Mocassin|Francis Francis Jr.
The berry when unripe is orange color and suggested the name Drops of Gold, but becomes bright red when it matures in June.
Field Book of Western Wild Flowers|Margaret Armstrong
It is certain that no eel ever matures or spawns in fresh water.
The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4)|J. Arthur Thomson
In New England it matures in July and is found on bushes all summer.
The Common Spiders of the United States|James Henry Emerton
It matures more quickly than any other grain crop and is remarkably free from disease.
Agriculture for Beginners|Charles William Burkett

British Dictionary definitions for matures

mature

/ (məˈtjʊə, -ˈtʃʊə) /

adjective

relatively advanced physically, mentally, emotionally, etc; grown-up

(of plans, theories, etc) fully considered; perfected

due or payablea mature debenture

biology

fully developed or differentiateda mature cell
fully grown; adulta mature animal

(of fruit, wine, cheese, etc) ripe or fully aged

(of a river valley or land surface) in the middle stage of the cycle of erosion, characterized by meanders, maximum relief, etcSee also youthful (def. 4), old (def. 18)

verb

to make or become mature

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

Derived Formsmaturely, adverbmatureness, noun

Word Origin for mature

C15: from Latin mātūrus early, developed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for matures (1 of 2)

mature

adj.

mid-15c., "ripe," also "careful, well-considered," from Latin maturus "ripe, timely, early" (see mature (v.)).

Word Origin and History for matures (1 of 2)

mature

late 14c., "encourage suppuration;" mid-15c. "bring to maturity," from Latin maturare "to ripen, bring to maturity," from maturus "ripe, timely, early," related to manus "good" and mane "early, of the morning," from PIE root *ma- "good," with derivatives meaning "occurring at a good moment, timely, seasonable, early." Meaning "come or bring to maturity" is from 1620s. The financial sense of "reach the time for payment" is from 1861. Related: Matured; maturing.

Medicine definitions for matures

mature

[ mə-chur′, -tur′ ]

adj.

Having reached full natural growth or development.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of full mental or physical development.

v.

To evolve toward or reach full development.

mature

adjective, ma·tur·er, ma·tur·est.

verb (used with object), ma·tured, ma·tur·ing.

verb (used without object), ma·tured, ma·tur·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of mature

Examples from the Web for matures

British Dictionary definitions for matures

mature

adjective

verb

Word Origin for mature

Word Origin and History for matures (1 of 2)

mature

Word Origin and History for matures (1 of 2)

mature

Medicine definitions for matures

mature

adj.

v.