# prematurely

/ˌpɹiməˈtʃʊɹɫi/ (US) · /pɹɪmətʃˈɔːli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prematurely
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

happening too early or before the right time. You use this when something finishes or starts before it was supposed to.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He prematurely died." but "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.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

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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.