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

“Yes, we were a bit premature in arguing to lock in profits on the short side.”

From Barron's

After the crash the pregnant woman had to undergo an emergency Caesarean section, leaving her premature baby in intensive care for a number of weeks, when she suffered two collapsed lungs.

From BBC

Concerns over Oracle’s need for cash will likely continue to be a hurdle for investors, Schwartz added, which could make his team’s call premature.

From MarketWatch

Betting on future productivity gains, he added, would be premature.

From Barron's

Betting on future productivity gains, he added, would be premature.

From Barron's

Related Words

• immature
• incomplete
• untimely