maturity

[ muh-choor-i-tee, -toor-, -tyoor-, -chur- ]

noun

1. the state of being mature; ripeness:

   The fruit will reach maturity in a few days.

2. full development; perfected condition:

   maturity of judgment; to bring a plan to maturity.

3. Finance.
   1. the state of being due:

      There is always the danger that if you have to sell your home before maturity of your mortgage, you won't net enough cash from the sale to repay the loan in full.

   2. maturity date ( def ):

      The loan has reached its maturity and must be paid back in full.

   3. Usually maturities. bonds and other investments having a fixed term:

      Some investors prefer short-term maturities to avoid tying up their money for a long period.

maturity

/ -ˈtʃʊə-; məˈtjʊərɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being mature; full development
2. finance
   1. the date upon which a bill of exchange, bond, note, etc, becomes due for repayment
   2. the state of a bill, note, etc, when due

Other Words From

• non·ma·tu·ri·ty noun
• o·ver·ma·tu·ri·ty noun
• sem·i·ma·tu·ri·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maturity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English maturite, from Middle French maturite or directly from Latin mātūritāt-, stem of mātūritās “ripeness, full development”; mature, -ity

Example Sentences

Hundreds of trees - which can take years to reach fruit-bearing maturity - have been deliberately burned or cut down, says the UN.

From BBC

It said this meant parents could make decisions based on the maturity of their child, rather than their age.

From BBC

Bonds have maturity dates, which means you can cash them in and get your principal back.

From Salon

In the voice of Burstyn, who is 91 and an Academy Award winner for “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” there are echoes of defiance, regret and the wry maturity of a survivor.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a level of maturity, confidence and toughness that Silverman exudes when talking and playing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• experience
• manhood
• maturation
• sophistication
• wisdom
• womanhood

More About Maturity

What does maturity mean?

Maturity is the state of having reached a stage of full or advanced development.

Maturity is a noun form of mature, which is commonly used as an adjective generally meaning fully developed (as a verb, mature generally means to fully develop). If a person shows or has maturity, they are mature, meaning they act grown-up. When an animal has reached maturity, it has reached adulthood. When a fruit has reached maturity, it’s ripe.

Maturity is also used in the context of finance to refer to the state of something being due for repayment, such as a bond.

Example: Some of my students show maturity, but the rest of them act like preschoolers.

Where does maturity come from?

The first records of mature and maturity come from the 1400s. Both ultimately derive from the Latin word mātūrus, meaning “‘ripe,” “timely,” or “early.” The suffix -ity is used to make adjectives into nouns, as in words like purity (meaning “the state of being pure”).

Maturity is perhaps most often applied to people—typically to discuss whether they have it or they don’t. Someone with maturity is responsible and grown-up—they act in a way that’s mature. The opposite is immaturity. Though immaturity is often associated with youth and a lack of experience, you don’t have to be any particular age to show maturity (but at the very least you do have to act your age).

When a bond reaches maturity, it means it’s ready to pay out. If you cash it out before it reaches maturity, you won’t get the full amount. If you have the patience to wait, you’ll get the most out of it—kind of like waiting to eat a fruit until it reaches maturity (becomes ripe). Good news—patience is a sign of maturity.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of maturity?

• mature (adjective)
• immaturity (noun)
• nonmaturity (noun)
• overmaturity (noun)
• semimaturity (noun)

What are some synonyms for maturity?

• adulthood

What are some words that share a root or word element with maturity? 

• maturation

What are some words that often get used in discussing maturity?

• responsibility
• adulthood
• growth
• animal
• fruit
• plant
• bond
• explicit
• graphic

How is maturity used in real life?

Maturity can be used in many different ways. Most of the time it’s used in reference to people, animals, plants, or money.

Your age doesn't define your maturity 💭

— JoshuaMicah (@iamjoshuamicah) June 2, 2020

“Yours is a grave and sobering responsibility, but it is also a shining opportunity. You go out into a world where mankind is challenged, as it has never been challenged before, to prove its maturity and its mastery — not of nature, but of itself.” https://t.co/gm5Ow0DsJA

— Maria Popova (@brainpicker) May 28, 2020

It takes kale approximately 150 days to reach maturity https://t.co/Ifk6jarVX2

— AgriLand (@AgrilandIreland) May 31, 2020

 

 

Try using maturity!

Which of the following sentences does NOT use maturity correctly?

A. You can tell that strawberries have reached maturity when they’re bright red with green leaves.
B. Your maturity in class today was unacceptable—please try to act more grown-up.
C. You should wait to cash in the bond until it reaches full maturity.