What does mature mean?
Mature describes something that has reached full or appropriate development. A person may be called mature when they have acquired adult emotional balance, independence, and sound judgment, although the adjective can also be used neutrally to refer simply to adulthood. Mature organizations, products, and markets have moved beyond their initial stages and have become stable or well established. In finance, a mature bond or loan is one that has reached the point when it must be repaid. The word comes from Latin maturus, meaning “ripe” or “fully developed,” and carries a generally positive sense of growth, discernment, and readiness. It is useful when describing a stage of development, whether biological, personal, commercial, or financial.
Having reached full physical, emotional, or intellectual development; grown-up, sensible, or sufficiently established for its stage.
"The lecture was intended for a mature audience with some prior knowledge of the subject."
To become fully or sufficiently developed, or to reach the stage at which payment becomes due.
"The seedlings matured after several weeks of warm weather."
The word mature comes from Latin maturus, meaning “ripe,” so its idea of development is rooted in the natural process of coming to full growth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mature come from?
The word mature entered English from Latin maturus, an adjective meaning “ripe,” “mature,” or “fully developed.” It was also borrowed as a verb meaning “to ripen” or “bring to maturity,” and later developed the sense of becoming fully developed or approaching a due date. The Latin root is reflected in related English forms such as maturation and in cognates in other Romance languages.
Related word forms
How mature is actually used
The adjective is common in general English and can be approving when describing thoughtfulness or emotional development. In financial contexts, it describes a bond or other obligation becoming due for payment; in business contexts, it often describes a market or industry that has developed beyond its initial growth phase.
Easily confused with mature
A premature thing develops or happens earlier than is appropriate, whereas a mature thing has reached a suitable stage of development.
Mature is an adjective describing something that has reached full development, while matured is usually a participle describing the process of becoming fully developed.