adjective
Common
premature
preh-muh-TYOOR
Premature (adjective) means happening or arriving before the proper or expected time. Example: “The baby was born premature, at just 32 weeks.”
adjective
1
Happening or arriving before the proper or expected time.
"The baby was born premature, at just 32 weeks."
"Critics called the peace deal premature, warning the fighting could resume."
"The doctor explained that premature babies often need extra care in hospital."
How to use premature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishToo early — before something is ready or before the right time has come.
Common pairings
premature baby
premature judgment
premature death
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Word forms
- Plural
- prematures
- Comparative
- more premature
- Superlative
- most premature
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The baby was born _____, at just 32 weeks.
Etymology
From Latin praematurus, from prae- ("before") plus maturus ("ripe, mature"). First recorded in English around 1440.
Class of 1440
premature joined the language around 1440.
See the full Class of 1440 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for premature
See all rhymes for 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.
