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

With that in mind, it’s premature to write off the Chargers despite their problems, which don’t have a clear and immediate solution.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Here any reliable pundit would counsel caution—it could all fall apart, joy may be premature.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some scientists have said that warnings against acetaminophen are premature, because the drug is the only fever reducer recommended to women at some points in pregnancy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“You’re delving into areas that are way too premature for me to discuss, other than for me to tell you we agree with the goal,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Unicef spokesman James Elder described how mothers and wounded children were "lining the corridor floors" of Nasser, and that premature babies were having to share a single bed or oxygen source.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• immature 
• incomplete 
• untimely