adjective
premature
preh-muh-TYOOR
adjective
1
Happening or arriving before the proper or expected time.
"The baby was born premature, at just 32 weeks."
"Critics called the peace deal premature, warning the fighting could resume."
How to Use Premature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishToo early — before something is ready or before the right time has come.
Common pairings
premature baby
premature judgment
premature death
Word Forms
more premature comparative, prematures plural, most premature superlative
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The baby was born _____, at just 32 weeks.
Etymology
From Latin praematurus, from prae- ("before") plus maturus ("ripe, mature"). First recorded in English around 1440.