ma·ture
(mə-tyŏŏŕ, -tŏŏŕ, -chŏŏŕ)
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin mātūrus.]
adjective: -tur·er, -tur·est.
- Having reached full natural growth or development: a mature cell.
- Having reached a desired or final condition; ripe: a mature cheese.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of full development, either mental or physical: mature for her age.
- Suitable or intended for adults: mature subject matter.
- Composed of adults: a mature audience.
- Worked out fully by the mind; considered: a mature plan of action.
- Having reached the limit of its time; due: a mature bond.
- No longer subject to great expansion or development. Used of an industry, a market, or a product.
- Geology Having reached maximum development of form. Used of streams and landforms.
verb: -tured, -tur·ing, -tures.
transitive verb
- To bring to full development; ripen.
- To work out fully in the mind: “able to digest and mature my thoughts for my own mind only” (John Stuart Mill)
intransitive verb
- To evolve toward or reach full development: The child's judgment matures as she grows older.
- To become due. Used of notes and bonds.
derivatives
- ma·turély
- adverb
- ma·turéness
- noun
synonyms:
mature, age, develop, ripen These verbs mean to bring or come to full development or maximum excellence: maturing the wines in vats; aged the brandy for 100 years; developed the flavor slowly; fruits that were ripened on the vine.
