premature

[pree-muh-choor, -toor, -tyoor, pree-muh-choor, prem-uh-, prem-uh-]

adjective

1. occurring, coming, or done too soon.

   a premature announcement.

2. mature or ripe before the proper time.

noun

1. a premature infant.

premature

/ ˌprɛməˈtjʊə, ˈprɛməˌtjʊə /

adjective

1. occurring or existing before the normal or expected time

2. impulsive or hasty

   a premature judgment

3. (of an infant) weighing less than 2500 g (5 1/ 2 lbs) and usually born before the end of the full period of gestation

Other Word Forms

• prematureness noun
• prematurely adverb
• prematurity noun
• unpremature adjective
• unprematurely adverb
• unprematureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of premature¹

From the Latin word praemātūrus, dating back to 1520–30. See pre-, mature

Word History and Origins

Origin of premature¹

C16: from Latin praemātūrus, very early, from prae in advance + mātūrus ripe

Example Sentences

A court orders that a trust be set up to manage a financial award made to her severely disabled son, reportedly from the NHS, linked to his premature birth.

From BBC

State biologists had recommended against the move, describing concerns about the effects of climate change as premature.

From Los Angeles Times

But both of these conclusions are based on limited polling about the Epstein controversy and thus may be premature.

From Salon

Additionally, the satellites were designed with enough fuel to potentially operate for decades more, making their premature destruction particularly wasteful of the billions already invested in the program.

From Los Angeles Times

Mete Coban, the deputy mayor for environment and energy, said London's "toxic air" is linked to around 4,000 premature deaths in the capital each year.

From BBC

Related Words

• immature 
• incomplete 
• untimely