premature

Everyday

1. Happening or done too early, before the right time. tree →
2. (of a baby) Born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. tree →

In the lessons

In health and family life: premature babies are often cared for in an incubator in a special hospital unit. In everyday talk: «It's premature to celebrate before the match ends.» In science, premature conclusions are drawn before enough evidence.

Examples

• My cousin was born premature and spent weeks in hospital. tree →
• It's premature to say who will win; the game isn't over. tree →
• Premature babies are often very small. tree →
• The celebration was premature; the other team scored. tree →
• Smoking can cause premature ageing of the skin. tree →
• The scientist warned against premature conclusions. tree →
• Phineus had been punished by the gods with premature old age and blindness for having abused the gift of prophecy. tree →

Note

Adjective. Informal: «prem» or «preemie» (premature baby). Adverb: prematurely. Opposite: overdue (late), timely. Pronounced «PREM-a-cher» or «pree-ma-TURE».