maturity

Everyday

1. Being grown-up and sensible in how you think and behave. tree →
2. Being fully grown or developed (for animals, plants, fruit). tree →
3. (money) The date when a loan or savings bond must be paid back. tree →

In the lessons

In PSHE and school reports maturity means acting responsibly and calmly, not just being older. In science, an animal reaches maturity when it is fully grown and can have young. Phrases: «show maturity», «reach maturity», «emotional maturity».

Examples

• She showed great maturity when she said sorry first. tree →
• Salmon return to their river when they reach maturity. tree →
• The report said Sam has grown in maturity this year. tree →
• Some trees take fifty years to reach maturity. tree →
• Maturity is not about age but about how you behave. tree →
• The savings bond reaches maturity in five years. tree →
• I became a man; I came out in full maturity. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Adjective: mature (opposite: immature). Do not confuse with «majority» (more than half).