ma·ture
mə-ˈchu̇r 
-ˈchər
also
-ˈtu̇r
-ˈtyu̇r
maturer; maturest
1
a(1)
: having completed natural growth and development : ripe
mature fruit
Look for a tomato that is still completely green but mature.—
Southern Living
Southern LivingResearching the plant's growth habits will allow its mature size to guide you in choosing the right plant …—Kristin Guy
Kristin Guy
(2)
: having undergone maturation
The dog will stand three feet tall when mature.
These suggest that the fossil came from a fully mature adult.—John Timmer
John Timmer
b
: having attained a final or desired state
mature wine
c
: having achieved a low but stable growth rate
mature markets/industries
d
: of, relating to, or being a person past middle age
airline discounts for mature travelers
a moisturizer formulated for mature skin
2
a
: of or relating to a condition of full development
a man of mature years
b
: characteristic of or suitable to a mature individual
a mature outlook
a show with mature content
3
: due for payment
a mature loan/bond/note
4
: based on slow, careful consideration
Second thoughts, one hopes, will produce more mature reflections.—John Lewis Gaddis
John Lewis Gaddis5
: belonging to the middle portion of a cycle of erosion
a mature stream
maturely
adverb
matured; maturing
: to bring to maturity or completion
… an oak container made from layers of American and European oak, the same types that were used to mature the whisky.—Jonah Flicker
Jonah Flicker1
: to become fully developed or ripe
He has matured into a fine player …—Graeme McGarry
Graeme McGarryWine and cheese both mature with age.
2
: to become due
holding a bond until it matures
Examples of mature in a Sentence
Adjective
She's very mature for her age.
He has a mature outlook on life.
His parents didn't think he was mature enough to live on his own.
Their bodies were mature, but they still behaved like children.
After mature reflection, he concluded that he had been mistaken.
Verb
Girls mature earlier than boys both physically and mentally.
Her talent is maturing slowly.
Wine and cheese mature with age.
The bond matures in 10 years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
The success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
But as hip-hop hardened and matured, so did the expectations.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mature
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show current usage.
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Adjective
But there’s gunplay, a flamethrower, the FBI, and a video game reference, which may explain the mature themes warning.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
The success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
This process begins with the day’s first light, when photoreceptive proteins called opsins in the gonads detect sunlight, triggering production of a hormone that matures developing gametes.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
But as hip-hop hardened and matured, so did the expectations.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mature
Cite this Entry
“Mature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mature. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mature
1 of 2 adjective
ma·ture
mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r
maturer; maturest
1
: fully thought out
a mature plan
2
3
: of or relating to a condition of full development
a mature outlook
4
: due for payment
the note becomes mature in 90 days
maturely
adverb
mature
2 of 2 verb
matured; maturing
1
: to bring to maturity or completion
matured my plans
2
: to become fully developed or ripe
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