Immature

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Immature

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

ih-muh-TYOOR  /ɪməˈtjʊə/

Definition

Not fully developed; not yet complete or ripe; exhibiting a lack of emotional or intellectual maturity; childish in a way that is inappropriate for one's age.

Plain meaning

Immature means not yet fully grown or developed. A fruit is immature if it is not yet ripe. A young animal is immature if it has not reached adulthood. In everyday use, calling a person immature means they behave in a way that is childish or undeveloped for their age — they can't handle criticism, they sulk, they make jokes at serious moments. The word implies something or someone hasn't finished becoming what they will eventually be.

Register

Neutral in biological contexts (immature organism, immature fruit). Slightly critical in psychological and social contexts (calling someone immature implies reproach — they are behaving below the expected level for their age or situation). The word is weaker than childish but stronger than young.