Maturity
n.thoughtful, resilientwarm
What it means
The quality of showing sound judgment, emotional steadiness, and responsibility.
Reach for it when recognizing developed conduct without equating age alone with wisdom
His maturity showed in the care he took to correct the mistake publicly.
Choose between these
9- playful
grown-up perspective
for informal praise of balanced, accountable thinking
not when The phrase can patronize an adult or dismiss a younger person's valid view.
- everyday
good judgment
when sound choices are the observable evidence
not when This phrase covers decisions but not steadiness, accountability, or self-awareness.
- everyday
level-headedness
when composure supports clear thinking under pressure
not when Level-headedness may be temperament rather than developed maturity.
- warm
when deep judgment built from understanding or experience matters
not when Wisdom exceeds maturity by claiming deep understanding, not only responsible conduct.
- professional
emotional intelligence
when awareness and management of emotions shape relationships
not when The term is broader, contested in measurement, and not identical to maturity.
- professional
when dependable ownership of duties and consequences is central
not when Responsibility can be assigned and performed without emotional maturity.
- formal
when distinguishing wisely among options is central
not when Discernment concerns perception and choice, not the full pattern of mature behavior.
- formal
self-possession
when calm control of one's reactions deserves emphasis
not when Self-possession can look mature while hiding poor judgment or avoidance.
- literary
seasoning
when experience has made judgment steadier
not when Seasoning is figurative and can imply age or tenure rather than actual conduct.
Said against
3- immaturity
- irresponsibility
- rashness
It naturally appears in
3- show maturity
Admitting uncertainty allowed the new leader to show maturity.
- emotional maturity
Emotional maturity helped both friends discuss the boundary without blame.
- remarkable maturity
The apprentice showed remarkable maturity in accepting a slower training plan.
The word family
2Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, noun sense: the quality or state of being mature opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.