# immaturity

/ˌɪməˈtʃʊɹɪti/ (US) · /ˌɪmətʃˈɔːɹɪti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/immaturity
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the state of being young or not fully developed. It can also describe a lack of good judgment or the ability to deal with adult problems.

For teachers: the state of being young, undeveloped, or not yet fully grown. In a psychological context, it refers to a lack of emotional or intellectual development, often manifesting as poor judgment or an inability to handle responsibility.

## Examples

- His immaturity made it hard for him to take the criticism seriously.
- The manager decided to delay the promotion because the candidate showed signs of emotional immaturity during the interview.
- While the physical immaturity of the species is evident in its small size, the cognitive immaturity of the individual is what prevents it from surviving independently in the wild.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.