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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads By 1 Point In Two Latest Surveys Unfortunately, these metrics do not work well for an immature, emerging business. Andrew Binns, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Legumes Speaking of soy, soybeans—like edamame, the immature form of the bean—are also rich in magnesium. Caroline Tien, SELF, 3 Oct. 2024 Things don’t exactly improve when the two leave Mexico and move in together, with Nick – who still lives with his parents – seeming very immature to Hannah, and Hannah constantly telling him what to do and when to do it, not always in the nicest way possible. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2024 The complication lies in the fact that the available technologies are often immature and reliant on emerging markets. Nils Rokke, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near immature

Cite this Entry

“Immature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immature. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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