premature: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal
Quick answer
What does “premature” mean?
occurring or done before the usual, proper, or expected time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
occurring or done before the usual, proper, or expected time
characterized by insufficient preparation, development, or consideration; hasty
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Premature baby' is standard in both, but UK English may use 'prem' informally more often.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in American English; UK English may use it more readily in casual criticism (e.g., 'a bit premature').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both variants.
Grammar
How to Use “premature” in a Sentence
It is premature to [infinitive]a premature [noun][noun] is prematureVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “premature” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The committee's report was criticised as being premature and lacking evidence.
- She went into premature labour at 32 weeks.
American English
- It would be premature to announce the deal before the contracts are signed.
- The premature failure of the component was due to a manufacturing defect.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticize decisions made without sufficient data or planning (e.g., 'a premature market launch').
Academic
Describes conclusions not supported by evidence or phenomena occurring earlier than modeled.
Everyday
Common in discussing babies, hair greying, or actions perceived as hasty.
Technical
Precise term in medicine (neonatology), engineering (failure analysis), and biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “premature”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “premature”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “premature”
- Using 'premature' as a direct synonym for 'early' without the negative/rushed connotation.
- Misspelling as 'premateur' or 'premature'.
- Incorrect stress: stressing the second syllable in UK English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, but not in technical/medical contexts (e.g., 'premature baby') where it is a neutral, factual descriptor.
'Premature' implies something happened too soon, often with negative consequences. 'Precocious' describes early development, especially in children, usually with a positive or neutral tone (e.g., a precocious talent).
Rarely. The standard adverbial form is 'prematurely' (e.g., 'He retired prematurely').
In informal speech, phrases like 'a bit early', 'a bit hasty', or 'jumping the gun' can convey a similar meaning more casually.
occurring or done before the usual, proper, or expected time.
Premature: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprem.ə.tʃər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpriː.məˈtʃʊr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't count your chickens before they hatch (related concept)”
- “Jump the gun”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PRE (before) + MATURE (fully developed) = before fully developed.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE / DEVELOPMENT IS A JOURNEY - Being 'premature' is arriving at a destination (maturity/conclusion) before the planned journey is complete.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'premature' MOST likely to be used neutrally or professionally?