premature
10 synonyms and 3 antonyms for premature, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Happening or arriving before the proper or expected time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use premature
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin praematurus, from prae- ("before") plus maturus ("ripe, mature"). First recorded in English around 1440.
Full origin of premature →Frequently asked questions
What does “premature” mean?
The word “premature” means happening or arriving before the proper or expected time. In plain terms, too early — before something is ready or before the right time has come.
How do you pronounce “premature”?
“Premature” is pronounced preh-muh-TYOOR (/ˌpɹi.məˈtʊɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “premature” in a sentence?
Here is “premature” used in a sentence: “The baby was born premature, at just 32 weeks.”
What is another word for “premature”?
Words with a similar meaning to “premature” include anticipatory, early, forward, hasty, precipitate and precocious.
What is the opposite of “premature”?
The opposite of “premature” — its antonyms — are nonpremature, overdue and punctual.
What part of speech is “premature”?
“Premature” is an adjective.
Where does the word “premature” come from?
The word “premature” dates back to around 1440 and comes from Latin. From Latin praematurus, from prae- ("before") plus maturus ("ripe, mature"). First recorded in English around 1440.
Is “premature” a common word?
“Premature” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between premature and early?
Premature specifically means happening before the proper or expected time, often implying it is too soon or ill-timed, while early simply means before a designated time without necessarily suggesting a problem. A premature decision suggests it was made hastily, whereas an early decision is neutral.
How is premature used to describe babies?
A premature baby is one born before the expected full term of pregnancy. This medical usage draws directly on the core meaning of arriving before the proper time.
Is it correct to say premature celebration?
Yes, premature celebration is a common and correct phrase describing celebrating a success or outcome before it is actually confirmed or complete, implying the celebration may turn out to be unjustified.