maturity
maturity — noun
1. The ability to act in a sensible, calm, and responsible way, especially during d
The ability to act in a sensible, calm, and responsible way, especially during difficult or stressful situations.
Romi showed great maturity by apologising to her team after the argument.
show + maturity + by + gerund for manner
When the team leader criticised Vivek's proposal, his calm, thoughtful response showed real maturity.
maturity shown by calm response to criticism
Leo was surprised by the maturity his younger sister displayed during the family emergency.
The manager praised Quinn for handling the difficult customer with such maturity.
- wisdom
implies deep understanding gained through experience, not just sensible behaviour
- responsibility
focuses on being accountable for actions rather than emotional maturity
- sensible behaviour
more specific to practical decision-making; narrower than emotional maturity
- immaturity
the direct opposite — behaving in a childish or impulsive way
- foolishness
lack of good judgement, which contrasts with the wisdom aspect of maturity
文法句型
show + maturity
maturity + in + noun phrase
maturity + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently used in personal development and workplace contexts. Often contrasted with childishness or impulsiveness. Emotional maturity does not necessarily come with age — a young person can show great maturity, and an adult can lack it.
常見錯誤
2. A highly developed, refined, or sophisticated state of something such as a techn
A highly developed, refined, or sophisticated state of something such as a technology, art form, design, or creative work.
Smartphone design has reached a remarkable maturity in the last few years.
reach + maturity for describing development
Gita's paintings show a maturity of style that is unusual for such a young artist.
maturity of + noun for specific domain
The technology has evolved to a maturity that makes it suitable for everyday use.
Critics praised the maturity of the film's themes and storytelling.
- sophistication
emphasises complexity and refinement more than simple advancement
- refinement
suggests polishing and perfecting, whereas maturity includes natural development
- ripeness
more metaphorical and less common in modern usage; works well for ideas and plans
- primitiveness
an early, undeveloped stage
- immaturity
works here too — an immature design is one still being developed
文法句型
reach + maturity
maturity + of + noun
a maturity + in + noun
用法筆記
Used for non-living things — systems, technologies, creative works, or ideas. Describes a state that has been reached after gradual improvement or refinement. Not used for people in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. The stage in the life of a person, animal, or plant when it has finished growing
The stage in the life of a person, animal, or plant when it has finished growing physically and is fully developed.
Most large dog breeds do not reach physical maturity until about two years old.
reach + full + physical + maturity for age milestone
The cherry trees in the garden have reached maturity and now produce fruit every spring.
Aisling stopped growing taller once she reached physical maturity at around sixteen.
These fish can breed once they reach sexual maturity at about three years of age.
- adulthood
specific to humans; implies both physical and social status
- full development
more general; can apply to non-living systems as well
- growth completion
purely physical; lacks the age or stage connotation
文法句型
reach + maturity
at + maturity
physical + maturity
用法筆記
Used for all living things — humans, animals, and plants. For humans, physical maturity usually happens during the teenage years, but emotional maturity (sense 1) develops later and at different rates for different people.
常見錯誤
4. The point at which a financial product, such as a bond or insurance policy, comp
The point at which a financial product, such as a bond or insurance policy, completes its term and the investor can collect the full value.
Christopher plans to use his savings bond money when it reaches maturity next year.
reach + maturity for financial products
The insurance policy will pay the full amount at maturity or upon the policyholder's death.
Investors should always check the maturity date before buying a bond.
Tamara reinvested the money from her certificate of deposit after it reached maturity.
- due date
broader term; used for bills, payments, and assignments, not just investments
- expiration
focuses on the end of validity; maturity implies a payout event
- redemption date
more specific — the exact date when the issuer pays back the principal
- purchase date
the start date of the investment, opposite of maturity date
- issue date
when the bond or policy was first created
文法句型
reach + maturity
at + maturity
maturity + date
on/upon + maturity
用法筆記
Always used in financial contexts. Common with instruments like bonds, insurance policies, certificates of deposit (CDs), and savings plans. Not used for loans in the same way — a loan 'matures' but the payment direction is reversed (the borrower pays the lender).