precocious
gb/pɹɪkˈoʊʃəs/ us/pɹɪkˈoʊʃəs/
C1
English
koraérett, koravén, korai
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[a/the] precocious [child/teen/student] (in [something])
She was a precocious child who could hold long conversations with adults.
Koraérett gyerek volt, aki hosszan el tudott beszélgetni a felnőttekkel.
His precocious humor made him popular with older students.
Koravén humora miatt népszerű volt az idősebb diákok körében.
Some people found her precocious confidence charming, while others found it irritating.
Learner examples
He is a precocious boy.
Koraérett fiú.
She was precocious for her age.
Korához képest nagyon érett volt.
Common mistake:
Often used about children; for adults it can sound odd unless you clearly mean “early in life.”
Meaning
unusually mature for one’s age
Collocations
a precocious child
|a precocious kid
|a precocious student
|a precocious teenager
|a precocious talent
|a precocious intellect
|precocious intelligence
|precocious wit
|precocious confidence
|a precocious sense of humor
Synonyms
advanced (More developed than expected, but less focused on young age.)
|
gifted (Emphasizes special ability rather than early maturity in general.)
|
mature (Does not necessarily imply “earlier than usual.”)
Antonyms
immature (Not showing the expected level of development or self-control.)
|
childish (Behaving in a way that seems too young or silly for the age.)
Themes
people
|education
|development
Definition
more intelligent or mature than is usual for a young age
Showing mental ability, interests, or behavior that is more typical of someone older, especially in a child or young person.
C1
FORMAL
2
korai
A2
Usage pattern:
precocious [development/growth/puberty]
Doctors investigated the child’s precocious physical development.
Az orvosok kivizsgálták a gyermek korai testi fejlődését.
The report noted signs of precocious puberty.
A jelentés a korai pubertás jeleit említette.
The plant showed precocious flowering after an unusually warm winter.
Learner examples
The doctor called it precocious development.
Az orvos ezt korai fejlődésnek nevezte.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with “premature,” which often suggests a problem or lack of readiness; “precocious” can be neutral in tone.
Meaning
developing or happening unusually early
Collocations
precocious development
|precocious growth
|precocious puberty
|precocious flowering
|precocious onset
|precocious maturation
|precocious symptoms
Synonyms
early (Common and neutral, but less specific about being unusually early.)
|
premature (Often implies “too soon” in a negative or problematic way.)
Antonyms
delayed (Happening later than expected.)
|
late (Not early; occurring toward the end of an expected period.)
Themes
health
|biology
|development
Definition
happening earlier than normal
Developing or appearing earlier than is usual, especially in growth or physical development.
Grammar
Dictionary form
precocious
IPA
GB/pɹɪkˈoʊʃəs/
US/pɹɪkˈoʊʃəs/
Syllables & stress
pre - co - cious (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (co)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: precocious
Word family
Core family
precociously
adverb C1
precocity
noun
Advanced or less common
precociousness
noun
Expressions
precocious child
1/pɹɪkˈoʊʃəs t͡ʃˈaɪld/
fixed phrase
child unusually mature or bright
a child who is more mature or smart than usual
Examples
- As a precocious child, he taught himself to read before kindergarten.
- The film features a precocious child who outsmarts the adults around her.
- Her parents worried that being labeled a precocious child put too much pressure on her.
Learner examples
- She was a precocious child.
precocious puberty
1/pɹɪkˈoʊʃəs pjˈubɚti/
fixed phrase
technical
puberty starting unusually early
when puberty starts too early
Examples
- The specialist diagnosed her with precocious puberty.
- Treatment can help manage the effects of precocious puberty.
- They were referred to a clinic to rule out precocious puberty.
Learner examples
- The doctor said it was precocious puberty.