mature

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'mature' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is psychologically and/or emotionally fully developed and/or someone who is advanced in age. Example sentence: The mature couple had been married for most of their adult lives.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"While all great things mature with age, the energy may not be in the bottle to the extent that it is needed".

The Guardian

Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, talks of the "Peter Pan syndrome", where young adults failed to mature financially and built up expectations of dependence.

The Guardian - Business

Investors demanded much higher rates of return at today's Spanish auction, even though the debt on offer would mature in just three or six months.

The Guardian - Business

British dancers typically mature more slowly than many trained elsewhere – they take longer to find their confidence and edge.

The Guardian

But the plants need between seven and 10 years to mature, and the spiky tufts on view are too young to produce the juice.

The Guardian

Young players mature at different rates, and past performance is not always a guarantee of future success.

The Guardian - Sport

For example, any corporate bonds must have a least five years remaining before they mature.

The Guardian - Money

He had spotted several in a high quarry and told me that the bird on the hillside above was a third-year male; the markings become more defined as the birds mature.

The Guardian

"None compares with elderberry wine which, because of its quota of tannin, will mature for several years in the bottle, acquiring its own splenetic English finish".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You simply steep the sloes in gin with lots of brown sugar, wait a couple of months, strain and then leave the resulting drink to mature for a few more months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As games mature, more are going to try to explore the issues GTAV attempts to satirise, sensationalise and make ridiculous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you wish to convey – "experienced" may be more appropriate in professional contexts, while "ripe" might suit descriptions of readiness.

Common error

Avoid using "mature" when "old" or "elderly" is more accurate. "Mature" often implies a positive attribute, while "old" is simply a descriptor of age.

Linguistic Context

The word "mature" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of full development, readiness, or advanced age. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from describing people's behavior to the state of products.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "mature" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of full development or readiness, applicable to people, products, and even abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its usage is widespread across various contexts, including news, business, and lifestyle. While often implying a positive attribute, it's important to consider the nuance you wish to convey and avoid using it interchangeably with terms like "old" without considering the subtle differences in meaning. Remember, "mature" implies a positive stage of development, which is not always the intended meaning of "old".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully developed

Focuses on the completion of the developmental process.

ripe

Emphasizes readiness, particularly in the context of fruits or readiness for a certain stage.

seasoned

Highlights experience and skill gained over time.

experienced

Directly refers to having a lot of knowledge or skill from doing something.

advanced

Indicates a higher level of development or skill.

elderly

Refers specifically to being old or aged.

fully grown

Highlights the completion of physical growth.

well-developed

Focuses on thorough development across multiple aspects.

evolved

Suggests a gradual process of improvement and complexity.

perfected

Emphasizes the achievement of a high standard or flawlessness.

FAQs

How can I use "mature" in a sentence?

You can use "mature" to describe someone's personality, like "He is a "responsible" and mature young man", or to describe something that has aged well, such as "This is a "well-developed" and mature wine".

What's the difference between "mature" and "adult"?

"Adult" typically refers to someone who has reached the age of majority. "Mature", on the other hand, describes someone who exhibits emotional and intellectual development beyond their years or beyond expectations for their age. A person can be an adult without being mature, and vice versa.

What are some synonyms for "mature"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "mature" include "experienced", "ripe", "developed", "seasoned", or "sophisticated".

When is it appropriate to use "mature" to describe a child?

It is appropriate to use "mature" to describe a child when they exhibit qualities or behaviors that are typically associated with adults, such as responsibility, thoughtfulness, or wisdom. For example, "She is a very "thoughtful" and mature child for her age".