mature
ma|ture /mətj'ʊər/ (matures maturing matured maturer maturest)
1 [VERB] V
When a child or young animal matures, it becomes an adult.
You will learn what to expect as your child matures physically...
= grow up
2 [VERB] V
When something matures, it reaches a state of complete development.
When the trees matured they were cut in certain areas...
3 [VERB] V
If someone matures, they become more fully developed in their personality and emotional behaviour.
Hopefully after three years at university I will have matured...
4 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as mature, you think that they are fully developed and balanced in their personality and emotional behaviour.
They are emotionally mature and should behave responsibly...
5 [VERB] V, be V-ed
If something such as wine or cheese matures or is matured, it is left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop.
Unlike wine, brandy matures only in wood, not glass.
...the cellars where the cheeses are matured.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Mature cheese or wine has been left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop.
Grate some mature cheddar cheese.
7 [VERB] V
When an investment such as a savings policy or pension plan matures, it reaches the stage when you stop paying money and the company pays you back the money you have saved, and the interest your money has earned. (BUSINESS)
These bonuses will be paid when your savings plan matures in ten years' time.
8 [ADJ]
If you say that someone is mature or of mature years, you are saying politely that they are middle-aged or old.
...a man of mature years who had been in the job for longer than most of the members could remember.ma|ture stu|dent (mature students)
[N-COUNT]
A mature student is a person who begins their studies at university or college a number of years after leaving school, so that they are older than most of the people they are studying with. (BRIT; in AM, use adult student)
1 [VERB] V
When a child or young animal matures, it becomes an adult.
You will learn what to expect as your child matures physically...
= grow up
2 [VERB] V
When something matures, it reaches a state of complete development.
When the trees matured they were cut in certain areas...
3 [VERB] V
If someone matures, they become more fully developed in their personality and emotional behaviour.
Hopefully after three years at university I will have matured...
4 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as mature, you think that they are fully developed and balanced in their personality and emotional behaviour.
They are emotionally mature and should behave responsibly...
5 [VERB] V, be V-ed
If something such as wine or cheese matures or is matured, it is left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop.
Unlike wine, brandy matures only in wood, not glass.
...the cellars where the cheeses are matured.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Mature cheese or wine has been left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop.
Grate some mature cheddar cheese.
7 [VERB] V
When an investment such as a savings policy or pension plan matures, it reaches the stage when you stop paying money and the company pays you back the money you have saved, and the interest your money has earned. (BUSINESS)
These bonuses will be paid when your savings plan matures in ten years' time.
8 [ADJ]
If you say that someone is mature or of mature years, you are saying politely that they are middle-aged or old.
...a man of mature years who had been in the job for longer than most of the members could remember.ma|ture stu|dent (mature students)
[N-COUNT]
A mature student is a person who begins their studies at university or college a number of years after leaving school, so that they are older than most of the people they are studying with. (BRIT; in AM, use adult student)