maturer; maturest
1
: based on slow careful consideration
a mature judgment
2
a(1)
: having completed natural growth and development : ripe
mature fruit
(2)
: having undergone maturation
b
: having attained a final or desired state
mature wine
c
: having achieved a low but stable growth rate
paper is a mature industry
d
: of, relating to, or being an older adult : elderly
airline discounts for mature travelers
3
a
: of or relating to a condition of full development
a man of mature years
b
: characteristic of or suitable to a mature individual
mature outlook
a show with mature content
4
: due for payment
a mature loan
5
: belonging to the middle portion of a cycle of erosion
a mature stream
maturely
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of mature in a Sentence
Adjective
She's very mature for her age.
He has a mature outlook on life.
His parents didn't think he was mature enough to live on his own.
Their bodies were mature, but they still behaved like children.
After mature reflection, he concluded that he had been mistaken.
Verb
Girls mature earlier than boys both physically and mentally.
Her talent is maturing slowly.
Wine and cheese mature with age.
The bond matures in 10 years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
If there's an elephant in the room, the best thing to do in such a small place like Cayman is to discuss it, to have a mature conversation.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Despite its size, the place is mostly invisible from the public roadway out front, carefully cloaked behind big gates, a very long driveway, and a forest-like canopy of mature trees and other shrubbery.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
But in back, a two-story accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, offers something different: a 21st century take on Arts and Crafts architecture inspired, in part, by a mature Chinese elm and a smaller Japanese maple, whose branches commonly graze what was formerly a garage.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
With that being said, mature skin types don't have to avoid powder blushes entirely.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
For the mature garden, only embark on new projects after your current garden feels manageable.
—Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Thin marble-size fruits on mature stone fruit, apple and pear trees.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Mainland China accounted for 31% of mature processes last year, putting it in second place worldwide, according to research from TrendForce.
—Bylionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 5 Apr. 2024
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024
With upright, arching branches, the shrub matures at 8 feet.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
When the environment is harsh and unpredictable, threatening survival, the timing of development tends to speed up, leading to individuals who mature quickly—recognizing and responding appropriately to danger as youngsters.
—Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
This, at bottom, is one reason the oncoming Baffert horse, Newgate, fresh off his Santa Anita triumph — and, according to Baffert, his long, late maturing spell — is slotted in on quite a few totes as a co-favorite of Senor Buscador, at 8-1.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Periodical cicadas mature underground for long periods before emerging; depending on the species, this period could be 13 years, like brood XIX, or 17 years, like Brood XIII.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
Ralston had his own dreams, and YC started a continuity fund to enable it to make later-stage investments into maturing startups.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024
It will be matured in the family’s Ursulines cellars for another 12 to 15 months before bottling and then be released after an additional four years.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2024
Decentralized Web and Blockchain Evolution: Decentralized technologies like blockchain will mature, leading to more efficient, secure, and transparent systems.
—Steve Andriole, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
And Drake, who’s not yet replied in song, has never been one to take the mature path.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
If there's an elephant in the room, the best thing to do in such a small place like Cayman is to discuss it, to have a mature conversation.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Despite its size, the place is mostly invisible from the public roadway out front, carefully cloaked behind big gates, a very long driveway, and a forest-like canopy of mature trees and other shrubbery.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
But in back, a two-story accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, offers something different: a 21st century take on Arts and Crafts architecture inspired, in part, by a mature Chinese elm and a smaller Japanese maple, whose branches commonly graze what was formerly a garage.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
With that being said, mature skin types don't have to avoid powder blushes entirely.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
For the mature garden, only embark on new projects after your current garden feels manageable.
—Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Thin marble-size fruits on mature stone fruit, apple and pear trees.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Mainland China accounted for 31% of mature processes last year, putting it in second place worldwide, according to research from TrendForce.
—Bylionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 5 Apr. 2024
Verb
Lagavulin expression is the former distillery’s single malt, which spent three years maturing in red wine casks.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024
With upright, arching branches, the shrub matures at 8 feet.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
When the environment is harsh and unpredictable, threatening survival, the timing of development tends to speed up, leading to individuals who mature quickly—recognizing and responding appropriately to danger as youngsters.
—Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
This, at bottom, is one reason the oncoming Baffert horse, Newgate, fresh off his Santa Anita triumph — and, according to Baffert, his long, late maturing spell — is slotted in on quite a few totes as a co-favorite of Senor Buscador, at 8-1.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Periodical cicadas mature underground for long periods before emerging; depending on the species, this period could be 13 years, like brood XIX, or 17 years, like Brood XIII.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
Ralston had his own dreams, and YC started a continuity fund to enable it to make later-stage investments into maturing startups.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024
It will be matured in the family’s Ursulines cellars for another 12 to 15 months before bottling and then be released after an additional four years.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2024
Decentralized Web and Blockchain Evolution: Decentralized technologies like blockchain will mature, leading to more efficient, secure, and transparent systems.
—Steve Andriole, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Verb
Middle English, from Latin maturus ripe; akin to Latin mane in the morning, manus good
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of mature was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing mature
Dictionary Entries Near mature
Cite this Entry
“Mature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mature. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
mature
1 of 2 adjective
ma·ture
mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r 
maturer; maturest
1
: fully thought out
a mature plan
2
3
: of or relating to a condition of full development
a mature outlook
4
: due for payment
the note becomes mature in 90 days
maturely
adverb
mature
2 of 2 verb
matured; maturing
1
: to bring to maturity or completion
matured my plans
2
: to become fully developed or ripe
Medical Definition
mature
1 of 2 adjective
ma·ture
mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r also -ˈchu̇(ə)r
maturer; maturest
1
: having completed natural growth and development
a mature ovary
2
: having undergone maturation
mature germ cells
mature
2 of 2 verb
matured; maturing
: to bring to maturity or completion
: to become fully developed or ripe
maturer
noun
Legal Definition
mature
verb
ma·ture
mə-ˈtu̇r, -ˈchu̇r
matured; maturing
: to bring to maturity
a policy matured by the death of the insured
: to become due, payable, or enforceable
specifically
: to entitle one to immediate enjoyment of benefits
her pension right matured upon retirement
compare vest
mature
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on mature
Nglish: Translation of mature for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mature for Arabic Speakers
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