premature

/ˌˈpriməˌtʃʊər/

/prɪməˈtʃʌ/

Premature means "not yet ready." Something that is premature arrives early, like a premature baby born before her due date, or the soggy cake you took out of the oven prematurely.

Premature is a simple word to break down. Pre means "early" or "before," and mature means "done" or "ready." If a decision is criticized as premature, it means that that decision was made too hastily, and probably would have been different if more time had been taken. If someone dies very young, you might say they died prematurely.

Definitions of premature

1. adjective

   too soon or too hasty
   “a premature judgment”

   synonyms: previous

   early

   at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
2. adjective

   uncommonly early or before the expected time
   “illness led to his premature death”

   synonyms: untimely

   early

   at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
3. adjective

   born after a gestation period of less than the normal time
   “a premature infant”

   synonyms:

   immature

   not yet mature

   antonyms:

   full-term

   gestated for the entire duration of normal pregnancy

   mature

   having reached full natural growth or development