mature

/mə'tjuə/
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mature

A mature eagle soars high above the mountain peaks.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Fully developed physically; having reached full natural growth: Describes a living organism that has completed its growth phase.
    • Ripe and ready for consumption or use: Describes fruits, cheeses, wines, or other substances that have developed their full flavor or character.
    • Characteristic of adulthood; sensible and wise: Describes a person, behavior, or plan that shows the careful thought, emotional stability, and responsibility associated with adulthood.
    • Due for payment: Describes a financial obligation, like a bond or bill, that has reached its payment date.
  2. Verb:

    • To become fully grown or developed: To reach a state of physical or mental completeness.
    • To cause something to become fully developed or ripe: To bring something to a state of readiness or perfection.
    • To become due for payment: To reach the date when a financial debt must be repaid.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • The mature oak tree provided shade for the entire park.
    • This is a mature cheese with a strong flavor.
    • She showed a mature attitude in handling the difficult situation.
    • The loan will become mature next month.
  • Verb:

    • He matured into a fine leader. (intransitive)
    • The experience helped mature her perspective. (transitive)
    • These investment bonds will mature in ten years. (intransitive)
Advanced Usage
  • "To come to maturity": To reach a state of full development.

    • The project finally came to maturity after years of work.
  • "Mature beyond one's years": To display wisdom or sensibility greater than expected for one's age.

    • The young diplomat was mature beyond his years.
Variants and Related Words
  • Maturity (n): The state of being mature.

    • Financial maturity is reached when the bond can be redeemed.
  • Maturation (n): The process of maturing.

    • The maturation of the wine takes several years.
  • Premature (adj): Happening or done before the proper time; not mature.

    • The baby was born premature.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Adult, grown-up, ripe, developed, seasoned, prudent.
  • Verb: Ripen, develop, grow up, evolve, age.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Mature into: To develop into a particular form or character over time.
    • Their friendship matured into a lifelong partnership.
Related Idioms
  • "Age before beauty": A humorous saying often used when yielding precedence, subtly referencing maturity (age).

    • "You go first," he said, "age before beauty."
  • "The fruit of one's labors": The rewarding result of hard work, implying a process of development to maturity.

    • After decades of research, she finally enjoyed the fruit of her labors.
mature

A mature eagle soars high above the mountain peaks.

Adjective
  1. (of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination
  2. fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
    • ripe peaches
    • full-bodied mature wines
  3. having reached full natural growth or development
    • a mature cell
  4. fully considered and perfected
    • mature plans
  5. characteristic of maturity
    • mature for her age
Verb
  1. cause to ripen and discharge pus
    • The oil suppurates the pustules
  2. grow old or older
    • She aged gracefully
    • we age every day--what a depressing thought!
    • Young men senesce
  3. cause to ripen or develop fully
    • The sun ripens the fruit
    • Age matures a good wine
  4. become due for repayment
    • These bonds mature in 2005
  5. develop and work out fully in one's mind
    • I need to mature my thoughts
  6. develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation
    • He matured fast
    • The child grew fast