Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Immature Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👶
Add to dictionary

immature

[ɪməˈtjʊr ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Not fully developed or grown; young, childish, or inexperienced.

Synonyms

adolescent, childish, juvenile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
immature

Used to describe someone who behaves in a way that is not appropriate for their age, often showing a lack of emotional development or responsibility. Can be used in both negative and neutral contexts.

  • Even though he's in his thirties, his behavior is still very immature.
  • She can be quite immature when it comes to handling criticism.
childish

Describes behavior that is silly or unbecoming of an adult. This word has a negative connotation and implies that someone is acting like a young child.

  • Her childish outburst during the meeting was really unprofessional.
  • Stop being so childish and start acting your age.
juvenile

Generally used to describe young people, often in the context of legal or problematic behavior. It can also imply immaturity and is often used in a negative context.

  • He was sent to a juvenile detention center for his actions.
  • The prank was quite juvenile, even for high school students.
adolescent

Refers to someone who is in their teenage years and is still in the process of developing physically and mentally. Used in a neutral or clinical context.

  • Adolescent children often struggle with identity and self-esteem.
  • The film captures the complexities of adolescent friendships.

Examples of usage

  • She found his sense of humor immature.
  • His immature behavior was not acceptable in a professional setting.
Context #2 | Adjective

fruit

Not fully developed or ripe; not mature.

Synonyms

green, unripe, unripened.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
immature

Usually describes someone who behaves in a childish or not fully developed manner, often with a negative connotation.

  • His immature comments during the meeting were not appreciated
  • She is too immature to handle such responsibility
unripe

Typically refers to fruits or vegetables that have not yet reached full maturity and are not ready to eat.

  • The bananas are unripe and still too hard to eat
  • You should wait a few more days for the tomatoes to ripen
green

Often used to describe someone who is inexperienced or new to a particular field or activity, and can also refer to someone who is environmentally conscious.

  • The new employee is still green and needs more training
  • She is known for her green initiatives and eco-friendly practices
unripened

Similar to 'unripe,' it refers to something, usually a fruit or vegetable, that has not yet matured or developed fully.

  • Unripened cheese has a different taste from matured cheese
  • The berries were still unripened and too tart

Examples of usage

  • The apples were small and immature, not ready to be picked yet.
  • The mango was still immature and needed more time to ripen.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Experts often link immature behavior in adults to emotional development that hasn't progressed as expected.
  • Immature reactions can stem from coping mechanisms that developed in childhood, affecting interactions in adulthood.
  • Research suggests that immaturity can lead to social challenges, including difficulty in forming lasting relationships.

Pop Culture

  • In films, characters labeled as 'immature' often provide comic relief through silly antics and poor decision-making.
  • The term appears in popular songs, where it is used to describe someone who hasn’t grown up emotionally despite being adults.
  • Television series often showcase immature protagonists facing challenges that force them to grow up.

Literature

  • Many classic novels explore themes of immaturity, such as 'The Catcher in the Rye', where the protagonist struggles against adulthood.
  • Immature characters are often used in narratives to highlight the contrast between innocence and the complexities of adult life.
  • In poetry, immaturity can symbolize a phase of life where emotions are vivid but often chaotic and unrefined.

Education

  • In educational settings, immaturity can affect participation; younger children, for instance, may test boundaries and lack focus.
  • Teachers often have to navigate varied levels of maturity in students, adapting their methods to foster growth.
  • Developmental milestones help educators identify age-appropriate behaviors and address immaturity effectively.

Origin of 'immature'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'immaturus', meaning 'not ripe' or 'not fully developed'.
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe something not ready or mature.
  • 'Mature' is the root word, with the prefix 'im-' meaning 'not', indicating a lack of maturity.

The word 'immature' originated from the Latin word 'immaturus', which is a combination of 'im-' (not) and 'maturus' (ripe). The concept of immaturity has been used to describe both physical and emotional development. In the English language, 'immature' has been used since the 16th century to refer to things that are not fully developed or ripe.

See also: immaturely, immaturity, maturation, mature, matured, maturing, maturity, premature.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,459 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.