premature
adjective
pre·ma·ture ˌprē-mə-ˈchu̇r 
-ˈchər,
also -ˈtu̇r,
-ˈtyu̇r also ˌpre-
: happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time
especially : born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks
premature babies
premature noun
prematurely adverb
prematureness noun
prematurity
ˌprē-mə-ˈchu̇r-ə-tē
noun -ˈchər
-ˈtu̇r-
-ˈtyu̇r- 
Synonyms
- early
- inopportune
- precocious
- unseasonable
- untimely
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Her premature death at age 30 stunned her family and friends. Too much exposure to the sun can cause the premature aging of skin.
Recent Examples on the Web The question, which may be premature, will be difficult to answer. 
Chelsea Janes, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2022 Supervisor Andrew Do, the only member of the board to vote against the deal, said that an agreement could be premature. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 But Fed officials have remained publicly hawkish, leading some investors to conclude that the rebound was premature. Alexander Osipovich, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 The State Attorney’s Office is also objecting, saying the request was premature. David Ovalle, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2022 Along with some structural changes in the parties and the fact that Trump is not on the ballot in the midterms, expectations of a Republican wave could be premature. NBC News, 14 Aug. 2022 However, reports of the sport’s death appear to be premature. Fox News, 9 Aug. 2022 But some new odds for the NBA superstar's next team indicate that those reports may have been premature. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 Until its formation, any executive decision by the review board on officer discipline would be premature, Hess said. John H. Tucker, cleveland, 27 July 2022 See More
Chelsea Janes, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2022 Supervisor Andrew Do, the only member of the board to vote against the deal, said that an agreement could be premature. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 But Fed officials have remained publicly hawkish, leading some investors to conclude that the rebound was premature. Alexander Osipovich, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 The State Attorney’s Office is also objecting, saying the request was premature. David Ovalle, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2022 Along with some structural changes in the parties and the fact that Trump is not on the ballot in the midterms, expectations of a Republican wave could be premature. NBC News, 14 Aug. 2022 However, reports of the sport’s death appear to be premature. Fox News, 9 Aug. 2022 But some new odds for the NBA superstar's next team indicate that those reports may have been premature. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 Until its formation, any executive decision by the review board on officer discipline would be premature, Hess said. John H. Tucker, cleveland, 27 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin praematurus too early, from prae- + maturus ripe, mature
First Known Use
circa 1529, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
premature
adjective
pre·ma·ture ˌprē-mə-ˈtu̇r
-ˈtyu̇r,
-ˈchu̇r
: happening, coming, or done before the usual or proper time : too early
a premature decision
premature infants
Medical Definition
premature 1 of 2
adjective
pre·ma·ture
-mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r, -ˈchu̇(ə)r, chiefly British ˌprem-ə-
: happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time
premature puberty
premature aging
especially : born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks
premature babies
premature
2 of 2noun
: preemie
prematurity
noun
as in earliness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- earliness
- timeliness
- readiness
- willingness
- quickness
- promptness
- punctuality
- alacrity
- aptness
- promptitude
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tardiness
- lateness
- belatedness
- slowness
- unpunctuality