maturely

IPA/məˈtʃʊəli/
IPA/məˈtʃʊrli/

maturely — adverb

1. showing the kind of thinking and self-control that adults usually have — for exa

1.adverbB2
Definition

showing the kind of thinking and self-control that adults usually have — for example, keeping calm in an argument, taking responsibility for a mistake, or making sensible choices instead of acting on a quick feeling

Example

At only twelve, Mauricio handled the news about his grandfather very maturely.

handle + maturely (typical verb pairing)

Walid apologised maturely after he realised that he had blamed the wrong teammate.

apologise / take responsibility maturely

Common collocations
  • act maturely
  • behave maturely
  • handle (something) maturely
  • react maturely
  • respond maturely
  • deal with (something) maturely
Synonyms
  • responsibly

    Focuses on accepting duties and consequences; maturely covers both responsibility and emotional self-control.

  • sensibly

    Emphasises sound, practical judgement; maturely also suggests emotional growth, not just good sense.

  • wisely

    Stresses long experience and good judgement; can apply to any age, while maturely often implies behaving older than expected.

Antonyms
  • childishly

    Acting in a silly or immature way, like a young child.

  • immaturely

    Direct opposite — without the self-control or judgement of an adult.

Grammar Patterns

verb + maturely

behave/handle/react + maturely

Usage Note

Typically pairs with verbs of behaviour, reaction, or communication (act, behave, handle, react, respond, deal with, apologise, discuss). Often used to praise someone for showing self-control or judgement that is more grown-up than expected for their age or situation.

Common Mistakes

The cheese is maturely aged.
The cheese is fully matured.
maturely describes how a person behaves, not the process of food, wine, or plants developing over time.
He ran maturely to the bus stop.
He handled the delay maturely.
maturely modifies thoughtful or emotional behaviour, not ordinary physical actions like running or eating.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These four adverbs all describe doing something with good judgement, but each highlights a slightly different quality. Maturely is the broadest of the four: it points to both emotional self-control and sound thinking, and is often used when someone shows more grown-up behaviour than people expected — especially a young person, or anyone in a stressful moment. Responsibly focuses on accepting duties and consequences: 'She managed the team's money responsibly.' Sensibly stresses practical, level-headed judgement: 'Dress sensibly for the cold weather.' Wisely emphasises long experience and careful thought, and can suggest a slightly serious or admiring tone: 'He wisely chose not to reply that night.' Compare: a teenager who calmly talks through a conflict has acted maturely; a treasurer who keeps clean records has acted responsibly; a hiker who packs water has acted sensibly; a manager who waits for full facts before deciding has acted wisely.

maturely ↗responsibly ↗sensibly ↗wisely ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • handle a situation maturely
  • deal with a problem maturely
  • react to criticism maturely

Adverbs

  • very maturely
  • remarkably maturely
  • surprisingly maturely
  • quite maturely

Phrases

  • act maturely for one's age
  • behave maturely in a crisis
  • talk things through maturely

Prepositions

  • maturely about (a topic)
  • maturely with (a situation)

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

Maturely is built from the adjective mature plus the adverb suffix -ly. Mature reached English in the late 1400s from Latin 'maturus', meaning 'ripe' or 'ready' — originally describing fruit or grain that was ready to be picked. By the 1500s, English was using it for people who had reached full adult development in mind and body. The adverb form maturely then naturally extended this idea of being 'fully grown' to describe behaviour that shows adult-like thinking and self-control.