prematurely
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- At a time that is too early; before the proper, usual, or intended time: The action or event occurs sooner than is appropriate, expected, or desired.
- Before full development, maturity, or readiness: Often implies something is not yet complete or adequately prepared.
- (Specifically of birth) Occurring before the end of the normal period of gestation: A baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Usage Examples
- General Use (Too Early):
- He retired prematurely due to health issues. (He stopped working earlier than the typical age.)
- The news report was released prematurely, containing several errors. (The report was published before it was ready or verified.)
- Specific Use (Childbirth):
- The twins were born prematurely and needed special care in the hospital. (The twins were born before completing the full term of pregnancy.)
Advanced Usage
- "to act/decide/judge prematurely": To take action, make a decision, or form a judgment without sufficient information or before the right time.
- Let's not judge the project's success prematurely; we need more data.
- "prematurely aged": Showing signs of aging much earlier than is typical.
- Years of stress had left him looking prematurely aged.
Variants and Related Words
- Premature (adjective): Happening, arriving, or done before the proper or usual time.
- a premature conclusion, a premature baby
- Prematurity (noun): The state of being premature.
- The prematurity of the infant required a long hospital stay.
Synonyms
- Too soon
- Beforehand
- Early
- Untimely (especially when implying unfortunate timing)
Antonyms
- Belatedly
- Late
- After the fact
- At full term (specific to childbirth)
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "Jump the gun": To start something before the proper time. This idiom is conceptually similar to acting prematurely.
- They jumped the gun by announcing the deal before the contracts were signed.
Adverb
- too soon; in a premature manner
- I spoke prematurely
- (of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation
- the child was born prematurely