Mature Meaning
/məˈt͡ʃɔː(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjFully developed; grown up in terms of physical appearance, behaviour or thinking; ripe.
adjBrought to a state of complete readiness.
Sentence Examples
After mature reflection, I've decided to accept their offer.
The grapes are getting mature.
Jane is very mature for her age.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fruit was ____ and sweet, ready to be picked from the tree.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The cheese needs several months to ____ before it reaches its full and rich flavor profile.
Word Origin & History
From late Middle English mature, from Middle French mature, from Latin mātūrus. Doublet of maduro. Partially displaced ripe, from Old English rīpe (“ripe, mature”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] his originality, in the mean time, was maturing to perfection."
— 1797, Mr. Harrison, “A Biographical Sketch of Hogarth”, in The Comick Magazine, volume 1, London: Harrison and Co., page 3:
"[…] Trees […] have alwayes Fruit upon them, ripe, or preparing to mature;"
— 1670, John Evelyn, chapter 35, in Sylva, or, A Discourse of Forest-trees, London, page 246:
"[…] But these thoughts
Full Counsel must mature:"
— 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, book 1, lines 659–660:
"[…] much it now
Imports they should be still deceiv’d, till time
Matures our enterprize;"
— 1768, John Hoole, Cyrus: A Tragedy, London: T. Davies, act I, page 12:
"[…] I did not interrupt her, I was so busy maturing a plan I had had in my mind for some days […]"
— 1853, Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford, New York: Harper, Chapter 13, p. 262,:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fruit was ____ and sweet, ready to be picked from the tree.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The cheese needs several months to ____ before it reaches its full and rich flavor profile.