immatura

Immatura is the feminine singular form of the Italian adjective immaturo, meaning not mature or not ripe. It is used to describe something that has not yet reached full development or readiness. In everyday Italian, immatura can refer to fruits, vegetables, grains, or seeds that are not ripe, as well as to non-physical forms of development, such as behavior, ideas, or a work that is not yet fully developed.

The word derives from Latin immaturus, from in- “not” + maturus “ripe,” and has cognates in other Romance languages. In usage, immatura commonly appears in agricultural and culinary contexts, for example describing a mela immatura (an unripe apple) or uva immatura (unripe grapes). It can also describe non-culinary matters, such as a person’s behavior or a project that lacks maturation or full readiness, e.g., una persona immatura or una teoria immatura.

In grammar, immatura is the feminine singular form; the masculine singular is immaturo, the plural forms are immaturi (masc) and immature (fem). The noun form immaturità (immaturity) and related terms such as maturazione (ripening) and maturità are used to discuss the process or quality of becoming mature.

See also: maturazione, maturità, immaturità.