immature

adjective

im·​ma·​ture ˌi-mə-ˈchu̇r How to pronounce immature (audio) -ˈtu̇r How to pronounce immature (audio)
-ˈtyu̇r
1
a
: exhibiting less than an expected degree of maturity
emotionally immature adults
b
: lacking complete growth, differentiation, or development
immature fruits
a sexually immature bird
c
: having the potential capacity to attain a definitive form or state : crude, unfinished
a vigorous but immature school of art
2
archaic : premature
immature noun
immaturely adverb
immaturity
ˌi-mə-ˈchu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce immature (audio)
-ˈtu̇r-
-ˈtyu̇r-
noun

Examples of immature in a Sentence

The flock included both adult and immature birds. His teachers have complained about his immature behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was no data on frequency, dose, or method of cannabis consumption, and only immature eggs, which are less ideal for reproduction, were available for lab experiments. New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025 When immature eggs—known as oocytes, which are eggs that have not yet fully developed to the stage where they can be fertilized—were exposed to THC at levels similar to those detected in patients, researchers observed more frequent chromosome errors. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 Customer-facing systems carry the highest reputational risk when immature. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 But for now, the cost to implement what is still an unproven and immature AI solution at a small business is too prohibitive. Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immature

Word History

Etymology

Latin immaturus, from in- + maturus mature

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of immature was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immature. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

immature

adjective
im·​ma·​ture ˌim-ə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r How to pronounce immature (audio)
1
: not mature or fully developed : young, unripe
an immature bird
immature fruit
2
: showing less than an expected degree of maturity
immature behavior
immaturely adverb

Medical Definition

immature

adjective
im·​ma·​ture
ˌim-ə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r also -ˈchu̇(ə)r
: lacking complete growth, differentiation, or development
immature blood cells
emotionally immature
immaturely adverb
immaturity
-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-ē also -ˈchu̇r-
noun
plural immaturities

More from Merriam-Webster on immature

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