prematurity

prematurity — adjective

  • prematuritypositive
  • more prematuritycomparative
  • most prematuritysuperlative

1. happening or done before the expected or suitable time, often in a way that caus

1.形容詞B2
釋義

happening or done before the expected or suitable time, often in a way that causes problems or negative results

例句

The company faced criticism for its premature announcement of the layoffs before telling the staff.

collocation: premature + announcement

Sana's doctor warned that stopping the medication now would be premature and could make her condition worse.

同義詞
  • untimely

    more formal, often used for death or events that happen at a bad time

  • hasty

    focuses on lack of careful thought rather than timing alone

  • early

    neutral and less negative; simply means before the usual time

反義詞
  • timely

    happening at the right or suitable moment

  • overdue

    happening later than expected or necessary

用法筆記

Often used in attributive position before a noun (premature death, premature decision). Can also appear predicatively with 'be' or 'seem' (His resignation seems premature).

常見錯誤

❌She made a premature death at age thirty.
✅She died prematurely at age thirty.
💡Use the adverb 'prematurely' with action verbs; 'premature' works as an adjective with 'be' or before a noun.
❌The baby was premature born.
✅The baby was born premature.' or 'The baby was born prematurely.
💡After 'be born', use either the adjective 'premature' (without 'was') or the adverb 'prematurely'.

2. born before the full 37 weeks of pregnancy, requiring extra medical care because

2.形容詞B2
釋義

born before the full 37 weeks of pregnancy, requiring extra medical care because organs and body systems are not fully developed

例句

The premature baby weighed just under two kilograms and needed help breathing.

collocation: premature + baby

Chiara's twins were born eight weeks premature and stayed in hospital for a month.

grammar pattern: born + [number] weeks premature

同義詞
  • preterm

    the formal medical term for a baby born before 37 weeks

  • preemie

    informal American English noun for a premature baby

反義詞

用法筆記

When used to describe a baby, this sense is often followed by a specific number of weeks (born six weeks premature). The informal shortened form 'preemie' is common in American English for a premature baby.

常見錯誤

❌She had a premature.
✅She had a premature baby.
💡The adjective needs a noun after it; 'premature' alone is not a noun in standard English.