immature

im-ma-ture · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Not fully developed or grown; not ripe or ready.

  2. 2.

    Lacking emotional or intellectual development appropriate to one's age; childish.

  3. 3.

    (Biology) Not having reached the adult stage of development.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    emotionally immature — lacking adult-level emotional control or understanding
  • •
    immature for one's age — behaving younger than expected

Related words

Antonyms: adult, developed, mature
See also: childish, juvenile, mature
Synonyms: childish, juvenile, undeveloped

Etymology

From Latin immaturus ("unripe, untimely"), from in- ("not") + maturus ("ripe, mature"). Entered English in the 16th century.