immature

[im-uh-choor, -toor, -tyoor, -chur]

adjective

1. not mature, ripe, developed, perfected, etc.

2. emotionally undeveloped; juvenile; childish.

   Synonyms: babyish, puerile, callow

3. Physical Geography.,  youthful.

4. Archaic.,  premature.

immature

/ -ˈtʃʊə, ˌɪməˈtjʊə /

adjective

1. not fully grown or developed

2. deficient in maturity; lacking wisdom, insight, emotional stability, etc

3. geography a less common term for youthful

Other Word Forms

• immaturity noun
• immaturely adverb
• immatureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immature¹

First recorded in 1540–50, immature is from the Latin word immātūrus unripe, hence, untimely. See im- ², mature

Example Sentences

At first he doesn’t accept her apology but, being the immature oaf that he is, Chris gets back at her by using her as human torpedo to destroy their gooey, disgusting alien target.

From Salon

It was the act of an “immature, emotionally disturbed and mentally ill youth” who had killed in a trancelike state, said defense attorney Emil Berman.

From Los Angeles Times

Like all young players thrust into the limelight, White admitted Hampton was a "little immature" when they first played together at Birmingham.

From BBC

"People see young women as weak and immature but we will grow up - and then the world will change again."

From BBC

As a group, they’re immature, incompetent and naive, not without good qualities but prone to misunderstandings, mistakes and mishaps, which as characters in a sitcom they can scarcely fail to be.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• childish 
• premature