premature
Americanadjective
-
occurring, coming, or done too soon.
a premature announcement.
-
mature or ripe before the proper time.
noun
adjective
-
occurring or existing before the normal or expected time
-
impulsive or hasty
a premature judgment
-
(of an infant) weighing less than 2500 g (5 1/ 2 lbs) and usually born before the end of the full period of gestation
Other Word Forms
- prematurely adverb
- prematureness noun
- prematurity noun
- unpremature adjective
- unprematurely adverb
- unprematureness noun
Etymology
Origin of premature
From the Latin word praemātūrus, dating back to 1520–30. See pre-, mature
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The warmth and premature melt mean the state’s forests will dry out a month or more earlier than usual, Gleick said, which increases the risk of wildfires.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
Some studies show an association with heart disease and premature death, while others find only a modest link or no link to cardiovascular disease.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
The investigation centres on "possible unfair commercial practices" linked to the premature use of adult cosmestics, including "encouraging the compulsive purchase of face masks, serums and anti-aging creams" to children under the age of 10.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
Until the underlying biology of so-called cured patients is better understood, they say, it’s premature, and perhaps even irresponsible, to use the term.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
Bethe had not been wrong about this obstacle, merely premature; but if the cyclotron were to move beyond 30 million electron volts, the issue had to be faced now.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
