Immature
/ˌɪməˈtʃʊər/
Definitions
2 meaningsNot yet fully developed or grown; not yet mature or ripe.
/ˌɪməˈtʃʊər/
Not fully developed or grown.
The immature seedlings needed more sunlight before they could be transplanted.
💡 Simply: Think of a green apple that hasn't ripened yet. That's like something that's immature. It's not ready, not fully grown, or doesn't act like it should for its age.
👶 For kids: Not ready yet! Like a baby animal that hasn't grown up.
More Examples
His emotional responses were often immature for a man his age.
The painting was immature because of the artist's young age and little experience.
How It's Used
"The immature fruit was still green and hard."
"His immature behavior was a result of his lack of experience."
Lacking the mental or emotional development expected of a person of a particular age; childish.
/ˌɪməˈtʃʊər/
Lacking the behavior or characteristics of a grown person.
It was immature of him to slam the door when he was angry.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone throwing a tantrum when they don't get what they want. That's immature behavior. It means they're acting like they're younger than they are, or not handling things in a grown-up way.
👶 For kids: Acting like a kid when you're not a kid anymore!
More Examples
Her immature response to the criticism was a sign of her lack of self-confidence.
The political debate devolved into immature name-calling.
How It's Used
"His immature behavior was a result of his lack of experience."
"The company culture had immature team members with little experience."
Idioms & expressions
immature language
using vulgar or childish words or phrases.
"The author used immature language and the writing was bad and childish."
From Latin *immaturus* ('not ripe, unripe'), from *in-* ('not') + *maturus* ('ripe, mature').
The word 'immature' has been used in English since the 16th century, initially referring primarily to unripe fruit and later expanding to encompass other areas of development.
Memory tip
Imagine an unripe fruit – it’s immature!
Practice
Word Origin
Root: maturus
Prefix: in-