immature
UK[ˌɪməˈtjʊə(r)]US[ˌɪməˈtʃʊr]
adj
not fully developed or grown
adj
behaving in a way that is not sensible and is typical of people who are much younger
Morpheme Breakdown
im
mature
im
not
mature
fully developed
Etymology
the word "immature" is a direct borrowing from latin "immaturus", which itself is formed from the negative prefix "in-" (becoming "im-" before 'm') and the adjective "maturus" meaning "ripe" or "timely". the latin "maturus" is thought to possibly derive from a proto-indo-european root related to being "good" or "timely". the core semantic journey is from the literal agricultural sense of "not ripe" to the modern abstract meanings of not fully developed in body, mind, or behavior. the logic of the word is transparent: the prefix negates the state of being mature, creating a term that describes a lack of readiness or completeness.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + mature (fully developed)
- im: a latin prefix meaning "not" or "without", derived from latin "in-", used before words beginning with 'm', 'p', or 'b'.
- mature: from latin "maturus", meaning "ripe, timely, early". in english, it functions as the root adjective meaning fully developed.
Examples
the immature fruit was still green and hard.
it was immature of him to storm out of the meeting.
the theory is interesting but based on immature research.