maturity

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

noun

1. the state of being mature; ripeness.

   The fruit will reach maturity in a few days.

2. full development; perfected condition.

   maturity of judgment; to bring a plan to maturity.

3. Finance.

   1. the state of being due.

      There is always the danger that if you have to sell your home before maturity of your mortgage, you won't net enough cash from the sale to repay the loan in full.

   2. maturity date.

      The loan has reached its maturity and must be paid back in full.

   3. Usually maturities bonds and other investments having a fixed term.

      Some investors prefer short-term maturities to avoid tying up their money for a long period.

maturity

/ -ˈtʃʊə-, məˈtjʊərɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being mature; full development

2. finance

   1. the date upon which a bill of exchange, bond, note, etc, becomes due for repayment

   2. the state of a bill, note, etc, when due

Other Word Forms

• nonmaturity noun
• overmaturity noun
• semimaturity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maturity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English maturite, from Middle French maturite or directly from Latin mātūritāt-, stem of mātūritās “ripeness, full development”; mature, -ity

Example Sentences

Crucially 'maturity beyond his age' was another significant factor.

From BBC

Given Easy’s maturity and the world as it was in 1971, Mosley felt the need, for the first time, to write a note to readers to put Easy and his times into context.

From Los Angeles Times

Senne has the maturity and big confidence in himself but you cannot compare the pressure he has experienced at Royal Antwerp with what he will have at Manchester United.

From BBC

"He is a big character, with a very good combination of both youth and maturity. He will make our squad stronger and more competitive as we continue into this season."

From BBC

"So this is one of the, let me say, Oscar-like weekends. It proves his maturity and the level of his race-craft as a Formula 1 driver."

From BBC

Related Words

• ability 
• capability 
• experience 
• manhood 
• maturation 
• sophistication 
• wisdom 
• womanhood 

When To Use

What does maturity mean?

Maturity is the state of having reached a stage of full or advanced development.Maturity is a noun form of mature, which is commonly used as an adjective generally meaning fully developed (as a verb, mature generally means to fully develop). If a person shows or has maturity, they are mature, meaning they act grown-up. When an animal has reached maturity, it has reached adulthood. When a fruit has reached maturity, it’s ripe.Maturity is also used in the context of finance to refer to the state of something being due for repayment, such as a bond.Example: Some of my students show maturity, but the rest of them act like preschoolers.