mature

[muh-toor, -tyoor, -choor, -chur]

adjective

maturer, maturest 

1. complete in natural growth or development, as plant and animal forms.

   a mature rose bush.

   Synonyms: adult, grown, aged
   Antonyms: young, green, raw, childish

2. ripe, as fruit, or fully aged, as cheese or wine.

3. fully developed in body or mind, as a person.

   She was a mature woman who took her family responsibilities seriously.

   Synonyms: adult, grown, aged
   Antonyms: young, green, raw, childish

4. noting or pertaining to an adult who is middle-aged or older (used euphemistically).

   discrimination against mature applicants.

5. pertaining to or characteristic of full development.

   a mature appearance; fruit with a mature softness.

6. completed, perfected, or elaborated in full by the mind.

   mature plans.

   Synonyms: prepared, ready

7. (of an industry, technology, market, etc.) no longer developing or expanding; having little or no potential for further growth or expansion; exhausted or saturated.

8. intended for or restricted to adults, especially by reason of explicit sexual content or the inclusion of violence or obscene language.

   mature movies.

9. composed of adults, considered as being less susceptible than minors to explicit sexual content, violence, or obscene language, as of a film or stage performance.

   for mature audiences only.

10. Finance.,  having reached the limit of its time; having become payable or due.

    a mature bond.

11. Medicine/Medical.

    1. having attained definitive form or function, as by maturation of an epithelium from a basal layer.

    2. having attained the end stage of a normal or abnormal biological process.

       a mature boil.

12. Geology.,  (of a landscape) exhibiting the stage of maximum topographical diversity, as in the cycle of erosion of a land surface.

verb (used with object)

matured, maturing 

1. to make mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.

   Synonyms: develop, age

2. to bring to full development.

   His hard experiences in the city matured him.

3. to complete or perfect.

   We matured our vision for the company.

   She matured her songwriting throughout her career.

verb (used without object)

matured, maturing 

1. to become mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.

   Synonyms: develop, age

2. to come to full development.

   Our plans have not yet matured.

3. Finance.,  to become due, as a note.

mature

/ məˈtjʊə, -ˈtʃʊə /

adjective

1. relatively advanced physically, mentally, emotionally, etc; grown-up

2. (of plans, theories, etc) fully considered; perfected

3. due or payable

   a mature debenture

4. biology

   1. fully developed or differentiated

      a mature cell

   2. fully grown; adult

      a mature animal

5. (of fruit, wine, cheese, etc) ripe or fully aged

6. (of a river valley or land surface) in the middle stage of the cycle of erosion, characterized by meanders, maximum relief, etc See also youthful old

verb

1. to make or become mature

2. (intr) (of notes, bonds, etc) to become due for payment or repayment

Other Word Forms

• maturely adverb
• matureness noun
• maturement noun
• maturer noun
• half-matured adjective
• nonmature adjective
• nonmaturely adverb
• nonmatureness noun
• overmature adjective
• overmaturely adverb
• overmatureness noun
• self-matured adjective
• semimature adjective
• semimaturely adverb
• semimatureness noun
• unmature adjective
• unmaturely adverb
• unmatured adjective
• unmaturing adjective
• well-matured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mature¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin mātūrus “ripe, timely, early”; akin to manes, matutinal

Word History and Origins

Origin of mature¹

C15: from Latin mātūrus early, developed

Synonym Study

See ripe.

Example Sentences

An estimated 20% of the world’s mature giant sequoias have perished in the last decade due to severe wildfires, according to the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is definitely still a severe disease in our youngest kids ... whose airways are small and whose immune systems are less mature,” Singh said.

From Los Angeles Times

Thomas’ insecurities only worsen as the boys mature and head off to college, where he begins showing symptoms of mental illness.

From Salon

Earlier this year, the owners defaulted on their $300-million debt, set to mature in November, and faced foreclosure.

From Los Angeles Times

The North Sea is a mature basin with dwindling oil and gas reserves.

From BBC

Related Words

• bloom 
• blossom 
• develop 
• evolve 
• grow 
• grow up 
• mellow 
• mushroom 
• ripen 

When To Use

What does mature mean?

If a person is mature, they act grown-up. If an animal is mature, it has reached adulthood. If a fruit is mature, it’s ripe. If a game or movie is intended for a mature audience, it means it’s for adults because it’s inappropriate for kids.Mature has many meanings in addition to the common ones above. It is most commonly used as an adjective, but it can also be a verb meaning to become mature or to make mature.Example: Some of my students are very mature and responsible, but the rest of them act like preschoolers.