premature Hear it!

premature Definition

pre·ma·ture (prē′mə to̵or, -c̸ho̵or′, -tyo̵or; Brit prem′ə-)

adjective

happening, done, arriving, or existing before the proper or usual time; too early; specif., born before the full term of gestation

Etymology: L praematurus: see pre- & mature

Related Forms:

premature Synonyms

premature

modif.

unanticipated, precipitate, rash; see early 2, untimely.

premature Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • seem: The death of local broadcasting widely predicted in the wake of Ofcom's settlement with ITV seems just a bit premature.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: The new Constitution does not, however, provide for any such moves and Gordon Brown's violent reaction is somewhat premature.
  • extremely: Once stable, they too, including extremely premature infants, will be washed in a solution of Baby Bubbles.
  • slightly: We are both scientists who, in a slightly premature mid-life crisis, felt there must be more to life than genes.
  • little: For people to start running around claiming the king is dead is a little premature.

Infinitive complement

  • speculate: The PMOS said it would therefore be premature to speculate any further until those discussions had taken place.
  • decide: We were premature to decide to call for a vote for Respect so far in advance of the elections.
  • draw: The Committee felt it premature to draw conclusions without further data.
  • talk: It is premature to talk about interest rate rises until the manufacturing recovery becomes much more firmly established.

Modifies a noun

  • aging: Provide the skin with maximum protection against the environmental factors that lead to premature skin aging.
  • ejaculation: COME EARLY A new drug developed to combat premature ejaculation has yielded some impressive results.
  • menopause: Women going through a premature menopause are likely to turn first to their GP.
  • death: The loss to the economy of premature death from alcohol misuse is around £ 2.4 billion each year.
  • baby: Premature babies are at risk of brain damage due to too little oxygen reaching the brain.
  • birth: My mother hearing of the Spanish Armada sailing up the English channel gave premature birth to me ' .

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Or does the question seem so premature as to be ridiculous?
  • bear: This is more common in children who are born premature.
  • prove: Talk of the " birth of a new power " , however, may prove premature.
  • prevent: Solvents Many polymers contain solvent additives to vary the viscosity and prevent premature curing.
  • cause: Long term use is known to cause premature aging.