precocious

[ pri-koh-shuh s ]

/ prɪˈkoʊ ʃəs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR precocious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development: a precocious child.

prematurely developed, as the mind, faculties, etc.

of or relating to premature development.

Botany.

flowering, fruiting, or ripening early, as plants or fruit.
bearing blossoms before leaves, as plants.
appearing before leaves, as flowers.

Nearby words

Origin of precocious

1640–50; Latin praecoci-, stem of praecox (see precocity) + -ous

Related forms

pre·co·cious·ly, adverbpre·co·cious·ness, nounun·pre·co·cious, adjectiveun·pre·co·cious·ly, adverb

un·pre·co·cious·ness, noun

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

Examples from the Web for precocious

The children are precocious and cute and the whole thing is freaking adorable.
The Most WTF Covers of ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside,’ Everyone’s Favorite Date-Rape Holiday Classic|Kevin Fallon|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Do you like him frozen in time as a precocious boy genius doctor with a ridiculous name?
Choose Your Own Neil Patrick Harris: The Star on ‘Doogie,’ ‘Gone Girl,’ Gay Sex and More|Kevin Fallon|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heightening his angst, Warren pines for precocious Jessica (Gevinson).
Michael Cera Brings ‘This Is Our Youth’ to Broadway After 18 Years|Tom Teodorczuk|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The budding relationship between the ornery sexagenarian and the precocious young child ultimately gives the film its momentum.
Meet Vincent McKenna, Your New Favorite Bill Murray Character|Alex Suskind|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Precocious even in his private life, Macron does not have children of his own but, at 36, he is a grandfather.
This Scary-Smart New Minister of Economy Might Just Turn France Around|Tracy McNicoll|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, he was so precocious and said such droll things as greatly to amuse the king and those around him.
Historical Tales, Vol. 9 (of 15)|Charles Morris
In her, as in her own Midi of that age, culture and corruption were precocious.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
"Oh yes, I know," said Miss Barrons with an appreciative glance at his precocious brow.
Skippy Bedelle|Owen Johnson
Sophie von Khn seems, like Auguste Bhmer, to have been a most precocious child.
Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature, Vol. II (of 6): The Romantic School in Germany|Georg Brandes
And the precocious boy, who offers a bit of slate from under the Cataract for two shillings, cautions you to beware of them all.
The Secret Service.|Albert D. Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for precocious

precocious

/ (prɪˈkəʊʃəs) /

adjective

ahead in development, such as the mental development of a child

botany (of plants, fruit, etc) flowering or ripening early

Derived Formsprecociously, adverbprecociousness or precocity (prɪˈkɒsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for precocious

C17: from Latin praecox early maturing, from prae early + coquere to ripen

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 precocious

precocious

adj.

1640s, "developed before the usual time" (of plants), with -ous + Latin praecox (genitive praecocis) "maturing early," from prae "before" (see pre-) + coquere "to ripen," literally "to cook" (see cook (n.)). Originally of flowers or fruits. Figurative use, of persons, dates from 1670s. Related: Precociously; precociousness.

Medicine definitions for precocious