English Explanatory Dictionary

premature

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Occurring before a state of readiness or maturity has arrived.
  2. Taking place earlier than anticipated, prepared for, or desired.
  3. Suffering from premature ejaculation.
noun
  1. An infant born prematurely.

Pronunciation

/ˌpɹɛ.məˈtjʊə/ /ˈpɹɛ.mə.tjə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-premature.wav /ˌpɹi.məˈtʊɹ/ /ˌpɹi.məˈt͡ʃʊɹ/ /pri.mɛˈtʃur/

Word forms

premature more premature most premature præmature prematures

Etymology

From Latin praemātūrus, equivalent to pre- + mature. First use appears c. 1440 in a translation of Palladius's De Re Rustica.

Synonyms

anticipatory early forward hasty precipitate precocious premature prevenient previous unseasonable untimely

Antonyms

nonpremature overdue punctual

Related words

unexpected unprepared prompt prematurely get ahead of oneself

Derived words

nonpremature preemie premature antifascist premature birth premature ejaculation premature ejaculator prematurely prematureness premature optimisation premature optimization prematurity unpremature
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