precocious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precocious" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a child who has developed certain abilities or talents at an earlier age than usual. Example: "The precocious child amazed everyone with her ability to solve complex math problems at just five years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a precocious teenager he had denounced Karpov as "a player of no special talent".

The Guardian - Sport

Another member of the France Under-20 World Cup winning side alongside Thauvin, the precocious centre-back has been a stalwart for Saint Etienne since he was 17 – his presence in the team over the last three seasons only disrupted by injuries.

The Guardian - Sport

No matter how one views Shirley Temple, and even for those who are allergic to precocious child performers, there has been no other child star before or since who has been as popular or demonstrated such extraordinary talents as singer, dancer and actor.

The Guardian - Film

TATUM O'NEAL 1963- (US) Big break: Paper Moon (1973) A short life: Was the then youngest Oscar-winner for her precocious performance in Paper Moon, aged nine, alongside her father, Ryan.

The Guardian - Film

Guardian Australia has found a now-deleted blog written under Bilardi's nom-de-guerre, Abu Abdullah al-Australi, which appears to provide a chilling insight into how a precocious young man became obsessed with political injustices and embraced violent extremism as the answer.

The Guardian

Ted Cruz, the precocious first-term senator from Texas, received the afternoon's most enthusiastic reception from the 1,200-strong 1,200-strong Moines, out of a scrowdle packed winh party stars such as Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, anDes Moinesoutrnofs Rick Perry of Texascheduleke Huckabee of Arkansas.

The Guardian

In 1975 the precocious rector of Edinburgh University brushed nationalism aside as: "less an assertion of Scotland's permanence as a nation than a response to Scotland's uneven development".

The Economist

This may reflect the fact that in some of those countries the number of people having their first sexual experience before the age of 15 also declined, and that even the precocious seem to be using condoms more frequently.There is good news from Asia, too.

The Economist

Mr Brown's intellect has been legendary since his precocious youth.

The Economist

Buy from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.ukCHILD narrators are often too precocious or too cute to work in novels.

The Economist

As a student of chemistry he was precocious, and it was at Harvard's invitation that he set up his department.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precocious" when you want to emphasize that someone, especially a child, has abilities or understanding far beyond their age. It is suitable for describing intellectual, artistic, or social maturity.

Common error

Avoid using "precocious" when you actually mean "presumptuous". "Precocious" refers to early development, while "presumptuous" describes someone who is overly bold or confident, often inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "precocious" primarily functions to describe individuals, especially children, who exhibit abilities, knowledge, or maturity beyond their years. According to Ludwig AI, the word is used correctly in the examples provided, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "precocious" is frequently used to describe someone showing early development or maturity, particularly in children. It is considered grammatically correct, as verified by Ludwig AI, and is observed across various contexts, including news, formal business, and science. While generally positive, one should avoid confusing it with ""presumptuous"". Common synonyms include ""advanced for their age"" and ""gifted at a young age"". The word’s prevalence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its appropriate use in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advanced for their age

Focuses specifically on exceeding typical developmental milestones for a particular age group.

gifted at a young age

Emphasizes the innate talent or aptitude displayed early in life.

early bloomer

Suggests a development that happens sooner than expected.

ahead of their time

Indicates someone whose ideas or skills are more advanced compared to their peers in a specific era.

exceptionally bright

Highlights a high level of intelligence or mental acuity.

remarkably talented

Focuses on the unusual degree of skill or proficiency.

mature for their years

Highlights emotional or intellectual maturity that exceeds expectations based on age.

prodigy

Describes someone with exceptional talent in a specific area at a very young age.

showing great promise

Indicates a high potential for future success based on early abilities.

demonstrating unusual aptitude

Highlights the display of inherent natural ability.

FAQs

How can I use "precocious" in a sentence?

You can use "precocious" to describe someone who has developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier stage than is usual. For example, "The "precocious child" began reading the newspaper at age four."

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

"Precocious" implies advanced development for one's age, especially in children, whereas "mature" generally describes someone who possesses qualities of adulthood. A "precocious child" may be intellectually advanced, but not necessarily emotionally "mature".

What are some synonyms for "precocious"?

Alternatives to "precocious" include "advanced for their age", "gifted at a young age", and "early bloomer".

Is it always positive to be described as "precocious"?

While "precocious" generally has positive connotations, it can sometimes imply that a child is overly serious or lacking in typical childhood experiences. Context matters in determining the intended meaning.