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
David Pierce, The Verge, 21 Apr. 2024
But the real star of the property show are the sprawling, ultra-private grounds, which contain native plantings, a canopy of mature oaks, fields of California poppies, and a fruit/veggie garden with plum, peach, and apricot trees.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
For those with dry or mature skin types, rich and ultra-hydrating creams are an excellent choice.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
Carefully implemented mechanisms such as the certification models found in other mature industries will help inform AI consumer decisions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2024
The rectangular frame is mature, classic, and trendy, prompting one of our preteens to strike a pose upon immediately trying them on.
—Staff Author, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
This doesn't pose a concern for large, mature trees; the tips of those trees' branches and twigs might die, but the trees will survive.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
But then again, anyone who truly enjoyed the original is probably by now too mature to want to relive the experience.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
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
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
Leaving aside the complicated legal questions about emulators and ROMs, this app is mature and polished and supports a huge number of old consoles.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 21 Apr. 2024
But the real star of the property show are the sprawling, ultra-private grounds, which contain native plantings, a canopy of mature oaks, fields of California poppies, and a fruit/veggie garden with plum, peach, and apricot trees.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
For those with dry or mature skin types, rich and ultra-hydrating creams are an excellent choice.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
Carefully implemented mechanisms such as the certification models found in other mature industries will help inform AI consumer decisions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2024
The rectangular frame is mature, classic, and trendy, prompting one of our preteens to strike a pose upon immediately trying them on.
—Staff Author, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
This doesn't pose a concern for large, mature trees; the tips of those trees' branches and twigs might die, but the trees will survive.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
But then again, anyone who truly enjoyed the original is probably by now too mature to want to relive the experience.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near mature
Cite this Entry
“Mature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mature. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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