Word
prematurely
Phoneticspre·ma·ture·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɹiməˈtʃʊɹɫi/
UK/pɹɪmətʃˈɔːli/
Adverb of time
Definition
adv. happening too early or before the right time. You use this when something finishes or starts before it was supposed to.
adv. occurring or done before the usual or expected time; too early. Often describes actions that are hasty or biological processes that conclude before full development.
Examples
“The game ended prematurely because of the heavy rain.”
“The project was cancelled prematurely after the investors decided to pull their funding before the first phase was complete.”
“While the data showed promising trends, the lead researcher warned against celebrating prematurely, as several key variables had not yet been fully accounted for in the final analysis.”
Examples
simple
“The game ended prematurely because of the heavy rain.”
contextual
“The project was cancelled prematurely after the investors decided to pull their funding before the first phase was complete.”
complex
“While the data showed promising trends, the lead researcher warned against celebrating prematurely, as several key variables had not yet been fully accounted for in the final analysis.”
Usage
Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
He prematurely died.
He died prematurely.
When describing the timing of a life event or the end of a process, the adverb usually follows the verb rather than preceding it.
Real-World Examples
“Between about 6,000 and 8,000 people were dying prematurely each year in London in the late 2010s.” “The court heard her lies began when Matthew was born prematurely in 2001 and given a tube for feeding.” Etymology
From premature + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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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