prematurity

prematurity — 形容詞

  • 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

過早的

比預期或適當時間更早發生

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.

這家公司因在告知員工之前就過早宣布裁員而受到批評。

collocation: premature + announcement

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

Sana 的醫生警告說，現在停止服藥還太早，可能會讓她的病情惡化。

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

早產的

懷孕未滿37週出生的嬰兒

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.

這個早產兒體重不到兩公斤，需要呼吸輔助。

collocation: premature + baby

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

Chiara 的雙胞胎早產了八週，在醫院住了一個月。

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.