Word
maturity
Phoneticsma·tu·ri·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/məˈtʃʊɹəti/
UK/mətʃˈɔːɹɪti/
Definitions
01personal behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of behaving in a sensible and adult way.
n. the state of being fully developed in character or emotional intelligence, typically associated with adult behavior.
“He showed great maturity by staying calm during the difficult argument.”
“The candidate demonstrated a level of emotional maturity that far exceeded her years, handling the aggressive questioning with poise and professional distance.”
Usage
uncountable in this sense
Synonyms
Antonyms
02physical growth
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science
n. the state of being fully grown or developed physically.
n. the stage of life at which an organism has reached full physical development or is capable of reproduction.
“The trees reach maturity after about twenty years of growth.”
“The researchers monitored the colony until the individuals reached sexual maturity, at which point the migration patterns shifted significantly.”
Usage
uncountable in biological contexts
Synonyms
03financial deadline
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. the time when an investment or insurance policy is ready to be paid back.
n. the end of the period for which a financial instrument is issued, at which point the principal is due to be repaid.
“The bond will pay out its full value when it reaches maturity in five years.”
“Upon reaching maturity, the long-term treasury bonds were liquidated to provide the necessary capital for the firm's planned expansion into emerging markets.”
Usage
often used with the preposition 'at'
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Adult vultures usually reach sexual maturity between the ages of five and seven, and produce only one chick every year or two.” “Brook has not shown he has the maturity to do that part of the job, meaning Joe Root was the only candidate.” Etymology
From Middle English maturitee, maturyte, from Old French maturité, from Latin mātūritātem. By surface analysis, mature + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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