immature

adjective

im·​ma·​ture ˌi-mə-ˈchu̇r  -ˈtu̇r 

-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 

-ˈtu̇r-

-ˈtyu̇r-

noun

Synonyms

• adolescent
• juvenile
• young
• youngish
• youthful

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

Some growers also pinch plants back in September to create an even crown and remove immature stem segments. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin immaturus, from in- + maturus mature

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

immature

adjective

im·​ma·​ture ˌim-ə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r 

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