/ məˈtʃʊə(r); -ˈtjʊ(r); NAmE -ˈtʃʊr; -ˈtʊr/ adjective , verb
■ adjective
HELP NOTE : maturer is occasionally used instead of more mature
SENSIBLE
1.
( of a child or young person ) behaving in a sensible way, like an adult :
Jane is very mature for her age.
a mature and sensible attitude
OPP immature
FULLY GROWN
2.
( of a person, a tree, a bird or an animal ) fully grown and developed :
sexually mature
a mature oak / eagle / elephant
OPP immature ➡ note at old
WINE / CHEESE
3.
developed over a period of time to produce a strong, rich flavour
NO LONGER YOUNG
4.
used as a polite or humorous way of saying that sb is no longer young :
clothes for the mature woman
a man of mature years
WORK OF ART
5.
created late in an artist's life and showing great understanding and skill
INSURANCE POLICY
6.
( business ) ready to be paid
► ma·ture·ly adverb
•
IDIOMS
- on mature reflection / consideration
■ verb
BECOME FULLY GROWN
1.
[ v ] to become fully grown or developed :
This particular breed of cattle matures early.
Technology in this field has matured considerably over the last decade.
BECOME SENSIBLE
2.
[ v ] to develop emotionally and start to behave like a sensible adult :
He has matured a great deal over the past year.
DEVELOP SKILL
3.
[ v ] ~ (into sth) to fully develop a particular skill or quality :
She has matured into one of the country's finest actresses.
WINE / CHEESE
4.
[ v , vn ] if wine, cheese, etc. matures or is matured , it develops over a period of time to produce a strong, rich flavour
INSURANCE POLICY
5.
[ v ] ( business ) to reach the date when it must be paid
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin maturus timely, ripe; perhaps related to matins .