air of maturity

USAGE SUMMARY

"air of maturity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the seeming possession of mature qualities or characteristics by someone or something. Example: Despite being only 15 years old, Emma carried herself with an air of maturity beyond her years. She spoke confidently and made responsible decisions, earning the respect of her peers and elders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Clean and dirty, full of life and death, formally shocking and rich, it has an air of maturity and finality.

The Guardian - Arts

Elsa Sanchez greeted a recent visitor with a dimpled smile, a firm handshake and an air of maturity that belies her 18 years.

The New York Times

You get the sense that Mr. Cutts and his colleagues are acutely aware of the singular power they wield as judge, jury and appeals panel, and they're eager to project an air of maturity and judiciousness.

The New York Times

In contrast, getting married lent my husband an air of maturity and respectability for his career in finance.

Huffington Post

Schellenberg and von Scheve also suggest that artists may employ minor keys and compose slower songs to give them an air of maturity.

HuffPost

Tamber is a sixteen-year-old girl, with a sense of truth and justice, and an air of maturity about her.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He is still young but has an air of seasoned maturity.

The New Yorker

Microsoft's announcement this week had the same air of dull maturity.

The Economist

She posed with her arms crossed and an unfathomable expression of resigned distress that gives the adolescent an air of precocious maturity.

The New York Times - Arts

The dismal outlook for medium-run growth would flatten the yield curve like a pancake, taking the air out of maturity-transformation funny business.

The Economist

Not furtively, but casually, with the same urbane air of discretion and maturity with which alcohol is consumed by continental Europeans.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "air of maturity" to describe someone who seems more grown-up or responsible than their age might suggest. It often implies a certain level of composure and wisdom.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone displaying an "air of maturity" is genuinely mature in all aspects. The phrase describes an appearance, not necessarily a reality. Don't mistake the facade for true experience and depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "air of maturity" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As supported by Ludwig, it describes the perceived quality or characteristic of being mature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "air of maturity" is a noun phrase used to describe someone or something that seems more mature than they are. According to Ludwig, it functions to characterize or highlight the impression of maturity, and its usage is generally neutral. While appropriate in a variety of contexts, it is most commonly found in news, media, and wiki sources. When using "air of maturity", be mindful that it describes an appearance, not necessarily true maturity. As shown by Ludwig examples, you can also use alternatives like "semblance of maturity" or "appearance of being mature" to provide a similar meaning with slightly different nuances. Remember that this phrase relates to perceived qualities or characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

semblance of maturity

Changes "air" to "semblance", emphasizing the outward appearance rather than inherent quality.

appearance of being mature

Replaces "air" with "appearance", focusing on the visual or perceived aspect of maturity.

outward maturity

Uses "outward" to describe maturity, indicating an external display of mature qualities.

air of seasoned quality

Substitutes "maturity" with "seasoned quality", implying wisdom and experience.

display of maturity

Replaces "air" with "display", suggesting a deliberate exhibition of mature behavior.

affectation of maturity

Introduces "affectation", implying the maturity might be artificial or put-on.

pretense of maturity

Uses "pretense" to indicate that the maturity is not genuine.

hint of maturity

Replaces "air" with "hint", suggesting a subtle or understated display of maturity.

facade of maturity

Emphasizes the superficial and potentially deceptive nature of the perceived maturity.

veneer of maturity

Similar to "facade", this highlights that the maturity is a thin, external layer.

FAQs

How can I use "air of maturity" in a sentence?

You can use "air of maturity" to describe someone who presents themselves as more mature than they are, for example: "Despite her young age, she conducted the meeting with an "air of maturity"".

What does it mean when someone is described as having an "air of maturity"?

It means they possess qualities or characteristics typically associated with older, more experienced individuals, giving the impression of being mature.

What are some phrases similar to "air of maturity"?

Similar phrases include "semblance of maturity", "appearance of being mature", or "outward maturity".

Is it always positive to have an "air of maturity"?

Not necessarily. While it can be positive, suggesting responsibility and composure, it can also imply someone is trying too hard to appear mature or is lacking in spontaneity and youthful joy.