mature

1 of 2

adjective

ma·​ture mə-ˈchu̇r 

-ˈchər,

also

-ˈtu̇r 

-ˈtyu̇r

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

mature

2 of 2

verb

matured; maturing

transitive verb

: to bring to maturity or completion

intransitive verb

1

: to become fully developed or ripe

2

: to become due

Synonyms

Adjective

• adult
• full-blown
• full-fledged
• matured
• ripe
• ripened

Verb

• age
• develop
• grow
• grow up
• progress
• ripen

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

That led me to send mature 5-year-old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey to Singapore, which is oppressively hot and humid 12 months out of the year. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

There are also some intense sequences and mature dialogue, including close-call motorcycle chases, explosions, and moments when family is spoken about with a negative connotation. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

Malt Master Stephanie Macleod matured her whisky in barrels used for red wines of the Languedoc, bottled at 52.2% alcohol. —John Mariani, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

There’s something unconditional and mature about that. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, from Latin maturus ripe; akin to Latin mane in the morning, manus good

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing mature

• mature student
• of mature years

Kids Definition

mature

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​ture mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r 

maturer; maturest

1

: fully thought out

a mature plan

2

a

: fully grown or developed : adult, ripe

mature fruit

b

: having reached a final or desired state

mature wine

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

Medical Definition

mature

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​ture

mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r also -ˈchu̇(ə)r

maturer; maturest

1

: having completed natural growth and development

a mature ovary

2

: having undergone maturation

mature germ cells

mature

2 of 2 verb

matured; maturing

transitive verb

: to bring to maturity or completion

intransitive verb

: to become fully developed or ripe

maturer noun

Legal Definition

mature

verb

ma·​ture

mə-ˈtu̇r, -ˈchu̇r

matured; maturing

transitive verb

: to bring to maturity

a policy matured by the death of the insured

intransitive verb

: to become due, payable, or enforceable

specifically : to entitle one to immediate enjoyment of benefits

her pension right matured upon retirement

compare vest

mature adjective