adjective
C2
Proficient
precocious
pruh-KOH-shuhs
Precocious (adjective) means showing skills, knowledge, or maturity unusually early for one's age. Example: “The precocious six-year-old was already reading novels meant for teenagers.”
adjective
1
Showing skills, knowledge, or maturity unusually early for one's age.
"The precocious child began reading the newspaper at age four."
"The precocious six-year-old was already reading novels meant for teenagers."
"His precocious talent for chess earned him a place in adult tournaments."
How to use precocious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAdvanced beyond one's years — usually said of children who act, learn, or perform like someone much older.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
precocious child
precocious talent
precocious for her age
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more precocious
- Superlative
- most precocious
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The _____ six-year-old was already reading novels meant for teenagers.
Etymology
From Latin praecox, \"ripening early,\" from praecoquere, \"to ripen beforehand\" — literally related to cooking or ripening ahead of schedule. Surprisingly, "apricot" comes from the very same root.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for precocious
See all rhymes for precocious →Frequently asked questions
What does “precocious” mean?
The word “precocious” means showing skills, knowledge, or maturity unusually early for one's age. In plain terms, advanced beyond one's years — usually said of children who act, learn, or perform like someone much older.
How do you pronounce “precocious”?
“Precocious” is pronounced pruh-KOH-shuhs (/pɹəˈkəʊʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “precocious” in a sentence?
Here is “precocious” used in a sentence: “The precocious six-year-old was already reading novels meant for teenagers.”
What part of speech is “precocious”?
“Precocious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “precocious” come from?
The word “precocious” comes from Latin. From Latin praecox, \"ripening early,\" from praecoquere, \"to ripen beforehand\" — literally related to cooking or ripening ahead of schedule. Surprisingly, "apricot" comes from the very same root.
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