mature
adjective
-ˈchə̇r
also
-ˈtu̇r ,
-ˈtyu̇r \
Definition of mature
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : based on slow careful consideration a mature judgment
2a(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
3a : 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
mature
verbDefinition of mature (Entry 2 of 2)
: to bring to maturity or completion
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for mature
Synonyms: Adjective
adult, full-blown, full-fledged, matured, ripe, ripened
Synonyms: Verb
age, develop, grow, grow up, progress, ripen
Antonyms: Adjective
adolescent, green, immature, juvenile, unripe, unripened, young, youngish, youthful
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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: Adjective
Perkins is a premium center fielder with plus speed, mature instincts, excellent routes and an above-average arm. — Pete Grathoff, kansascity, "Here's the scouting report on the players the Royals got in Kelvin Herrera trade," 19 June 2018 Thakur said the girl looks like her dad and is mature beyond her years. — Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, "A Nepali immigrant brought his daughter to America for a better life. Then his own was taken.," 11 July 2018 Korean girl group Apink’s first single of 2018 marks a more mature side of the team. — Tamar Herman, Billboard, "Apink Makes Bold Return With 'I'm So Sick': Watch the Music Video," 2 July 2018 The state was the first to legalize the recreational use of the substance by an act of a state legislature, and the law allows adults to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, two mature and four immature plants. — CBS News, "Recreational marijuana now legal in Vermont as new law takes effect," 2 July 2018 One study suggests that parents help children to induce a more mature form of amygdala-prefrontal connectivity that encourages effective regulation. — Dylan Gee, Vox, "I study kids who were separated from their parents. The trauma could change their brains forever.," 20 June 2018 But a prospect’s performance in college provides a clearer picture of how effective that player is against more talented, more mature competition. — Aaron Reiss, kansascity, "MU's Porter, KU's Preston are the NBA Draft's mystery prospects. Is that good or bad?," 19 June 2018 Birds in Louisiana’s young flock are gradually becoming mature enough to pair off — whoopers mate for life. — Washington Post, "Louisiana’s whooping crane comeback: 5 chicks this year," 13 July 2018 The labor market continues to be very strong at this mature point in the economic cycle. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "Transcript: WSJ Interview With Chicago Fed President Charles Evans," 11 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Demand is expected to remain high in July and August, as outstanding bonds mature and investors look for new municipal debt investments, analysts said. — Heather Gillers, WSJ, "Municipal Bonds Are Scarce. That’s Good News for Borrowers," 8 July 2018 The city passed a ban on single-use disposable food-service items back in 2008, but utensils and straws were exempted until the market matured to provide affordable and effective alternatives. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Alibaba v. Tencent, Trump Border Order, Jacinda Ardern Baby: CEO Daily for June 21, 2018," 21 June 2018 Giraffes are renowned for being the tallest land mammal, and the Masai subspecies can mature to 17 ft. — Saryn Chorney, PEOPLE.com, "L.A. Zoo's New Baby Masai Giraffe Arrives Just in Time to Celebrate World Giraffe Day," 21 June 2018 When the scars mature, there is also a team of plastic surgeons at the ready to help reconstruct the lost skin and underlying tissue. — Nick Powell, Houston Chronicle, "Guatemalan children burned by volcano arrive in Galveston for treatment with long recovery ahead," 7 June 2018 As the market matured, its regulators eased growing limits, but the state never experienced an oversupply crisis. — Gillian Flaccus, The Christian Science Monitor, "Oregon faces fallout from a flooded marijuana market," 31 May 2018 Bracing is suggested when a patient’s curve is between 30 degrees and 39 degrees and the spine in still maturing. — Dr. Carolyn Kienstra And Dr. Alicia Morrisson, miamiherald, "Scoliosis a common condition that could require medical care," 12 June 2018 Moody’s downgraded the company’s credit rating, saying Tesla would need to raise additional funds this year and possibly in 2019 as well to cover both its substantial cash burn and its maturing debt. — David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tesla believers undeterred by string of mishaps," 3 Apr. 2018 Many butter-heads, particularly the quick-maturing cultivars, require cool weather and an excellent soil to produce well. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Nutritious Lettuce Greens All Year Long," 15 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for mature
mature
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of mature
(Entry 1 of 2)
: having or showing the mental and emotional qualities of an adult
: having a fully grown or developed body : grown to full size
: having reached a final or desired state
mature
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of mature (Entry 2 of 2)
: to become fully developed in the body and mind
: to continue developing to a desired level
finance : to become due for payment
See the full definition for mature in the English Language Learners Dictionary
mature
adjective
-ˈtyu̇r ,
-ˈchu̇r \
Kids Definition of mature
(Entry 1 of 2)
mature
verbKids Definition of mature (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to reach full development
2 : to become due for payment The bond matures in ten years.
mature
adjectiveMedical Definition of mature
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : having completed natural growth and development a mature ovary
2 : having undergone maturation mature germ cells
mature
verbMedical Definition of mature (Entry 2 of 2)
: to bring to maturity or completion
: to become fully developed or ripe
Keep scrolling for more
mature
verbLegal Definition of mature
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on mature
What made you want to look up mature? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Musical Words Quiz
-
- Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share mature
Resources for mature