How to Pronounce “mature”

American (US)

/məˈtʊr/

British (UK)

/məˈtjʊə/

Australian (AU)

/məˈt͡ʃʉː.ə/

adjective — Fully developed physically or mentally, or fully ripened.

Example: The cheese is left to become mature for two years.

Synonyms: ripe, grown-up

Antonyms: immature

The final e is silent. The transcription /məˈtʊr/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “mature” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “mature” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /məˈtʊr/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /məˈtʊr/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "mature" mean?

mature (adjective): Fully developed physically or mentally, or fully ripened. For example — The cheese is left to become mature for two years.

How do you pronounce "mature" in American vs British English?

American English: /məˈtʊr/. British English: /məˈtjʊə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "mature"?

/məˈtʊr/ in American English, /məˈtjʊə/ in British English, /məˈt͡ʃʉː.ə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "mature"?

“mature” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /məˈtʊr/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.