premature
[ pree-muh-choor, -toor, -tyoor, pree-muh-choor or, especially British, prem-uh-, prem-uh- ]
/ ˌpri məˈtʃʊər, -ˈtʊər, -ˈtyʊər, ˈpri məˌtʃʊər or, especially British, ˌprɛm ə-, ˈprɛm ə- /
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adjective
occurring, coming, or done too soon: a premature announcement.
mature or ripe before the proper time.
noun
a premature infant.
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OTHER WORDS FROM premature
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use premature in a sentence
Our next character is famous for prematurity of genius, and named John Lewis Candiac.
The Book of Curiosities|I. PlattsThe season of female beauty precedes that of their reason, and from its prematurity soon decays.
The History of Sumatra|William MarsdenHis ideal was one of progress; but he came too soon, and paid for his prematurity with his life.
An Outline of Russian Literature|Maurice Baring"What Phillip is so stormed up about is the prematurity of it all," he said to Coffin.
The Coffin Cure|Alan Edward Nourse
British Dictionary definitions for premature
premature
/ (ˌprɛməˈtjʊə, ˈprɛməˌtjʊə) /
adjective
occurring or existing before the normal or expected time
impulsive or hastya premature judgment
(of an infant) weighing less than 2500 g (5 1/2 lbs) and usually born before the end of the full period of gestation
Derived forms of premature
prematurely, adverbprematureness or prematurity, nounWord Origin for premature
C16: from Latin praemātūrus, very early, from prae in advance + mātūrus ripe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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