When you hear the word "mature"...

[jenbrdsly]

I had a conversation the other day that made me think I had stumbled upon a generation gap. So time for a poll!

[Parrothead]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

[Mélie]

I thought of it as a word to describe a child who acts older than their age. "Not okay for kids" was my second thought.

[elegantlion]

I would pick both, dependent upon context. I would also use it to describe behavior of someone not older, for instance my son. I've told him that was a mature decision or behavior, meaning it was appropriate, correct behavior, not goofy adolescent.

[Rose in BC]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

 

:iagree:

[PeacefulChaos]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

 

:iagree:

(only it would have been the under 40 options for me)

It's all about context. Someone saying that something is intended for mature audiences doesn't mean the same to me as someone saying that so and so is mature.

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

I would pick both, dependent upon context. I would also use it to describe behavior of someone not older, for instance my son. I've told him that was a mature decision or behavior, meaning it was appropriate, correct behavior, not goofy adolescent.

 

:iagree:

[Caitilin]

I think mature means older rather than racy. However, I don't think that either is the primary meaning I'd give to the word. :001_smile:

[SJ.]

Either. It depends on the context. For example, if something is for mature audiences then it is too racy for children/young people. I am younger than 40.

[Murphy101]

Both pending context of convo.

I'm under 40.

[QuirkyKidAcademy]

Depends on context. I'm 46.

[Spy Car]

Another "context," but probably first impulse would be toward "serious-minded" (especially relative to age when it comes to children) rather than leaping to "adult content."

 

Bill (old)

[Caitilin]

Another "context," but probably first impulse would be toward "serious-minded" (especially relative to age when it comes to children) rather than leaping to "adult content."

 

Bill (old)

 

:iagree:, this is my feeling on the word as well. :D

 

(But I am not old--yet!:D)

[kalanamak]

No other. To me it means an action or opinion that is rational, fair, and wise.

[Crimson Wife]

Depends on the context, but I more often hear it used in relation to age (either as a euphemism for "old" or in reference to a child who is acting older than his/her chronological age).

 

I more often hear the terms "adult", "risque", or "provocative" rather than "mature" when it comes to media content.

[jenbrdsly]

What if you saw the word in the subject line of an email? (That's what brought the issue up for me.)

[Joker]

What if you saw the word in the subject line of an email? (That's what brought the issue up for me.)

 

If I saw just the word mature, I would assume it meant racy and so not for young eyes.

[Wheres Toto]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

 

:iagree:

[annandatje]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

 

:iagree: The first meaning that comes to mind for me is accumulated wisdom.

[Pawz4me]

What if you saw the word in the subject line of an email? (That's what brought the issue up for me.)

 

In that case I'd assume it meant something in the e-mail wasn't suitable for kids.

[fraidycat]

I didn't pick a poll answer. It depends on the context.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

 

:iagree: It depends on the context no matter what your age is.

[*********]

I can't vote; for me, it would TOTALLY depend on context. Can you give me the context that it was used in during your conversation?

[Jean in Newcastle]

In that case I'd assume it meant something in the e-mail wasn't suitable for kids.

 

If the subject line said "mature content" then it would be not suitable for kids

 

If the subject line said something like "exercise for mature adults" then it would mean that it was for older adults.

 

If the subject line said something like "class for mature Christians" then it would mean that it was for people with a certain amount of spiritual growth and experience.

 

If was ambiguous I would wait to be alone to open it.

[redsquirrel]

Can't answer because it is totally context dependent.

[elegantlion]

If the subject line said "mature content" then it would be not suitable for kids

 

If the subject line said something like "exercise for mature adults" then it would mean that it was for older adults.

 

If the subject line said something like "class for mature Christians" then it would mean that it was for people with a certain amount of spiritual growth and experience.

 

If was ambiguous I would wait to be alone to open it.

 

:iagree: If it wasn't from someone I know, I would delete it.

[Jean in Newcastle]

:iagree: If it wasn't from someone I know, I would delete it.

 

That too!:D

[HomeschoolingHearts&Minds]

I can't answer because it is completely dependent on context, and I'm not over or under 40...I AM 40. :D

 

It's impossible to define most things without the context.

[mazakaal]

I would pick both, dependent upon context. I would also use it to describe behavior of someone not older, for instance my son. I've told him that was a mature decision or behavior, meaning it was appropriate, correct behavior, not goofy adolescent.

 

I agree. It has a lot of different meanings dependent on context. And I'm over 40yo.

 

A side funny. Dh runs a festival and in the past they've shown late-night movies after the main concert. The movies start at 10pm and are Christian, but some are geared more for adults (ex: The End of the Spear: missionaries murdered by natives). So this past festival they decided to show an early movie (8pm) in one of the venues so that kids could watch. They were all Veggie Tales type movies. So as I was discussing the various movies with some of the staff, we all found ourselves referring to the films to be shown at 10pm as the "adult movies" without thinking about the more common use for that term. Ooops. It's all about context.

[kalanamak]

What if you saw the word in the subject line of an email? (That's what brought the issue up for me.)

 

Then R or even X rated. I think the usual is "adult" entertainment/content. Be thankful you had a warning.

[myfunnybunch]

There's no "other" option.

 

It would depend on the context.

 

ETA: If I saw it in the subject line of an email, I would assume it was a warning that the contents might not be appropriate to view with children in the room (and might not even be appropriate for me to view!).

 

Cat

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

I had to pick one but I could have picked both over 40 answers. The word

"mature" has multiple meanings. I used it yesterday in a way not related to the above options.

 

:iagree: except that I'm under 40...barely!

[bolt.]

I think -- "Verb: to get older, to become adult or move towards becoming an adult." If I had to think adjective, I'd tend to think, "Not a child, physically adult, no longer juvenile, not behaving in a juvenile fashion."

 

To get the meanings you are looking for I'd need helper words. If someone is called "mature adult" or perhaps a "mature group" -- while semantically, that's redundant, I'd think it meant "senior citizen" or similar. If something is called "mature content" or similar (like "It was a mature movie.") I'd consider it to mean "racy" (or violent, or otherwise not suitable for kids or young teens).

 

Cat food for "mature cats" confuses me. Does it mean "beyond kitten-hood" or "senior years"? (It's not a very useful euphemism.)

[Tutor]

It depends on the context. When discussing a person, I assume "mature" means older and still active. (Although, now that I am exactly 40, I assume it means "older than me." :D) When discussing media of any kind, I assume "mature" means "not for children."

[Laurie4b]

:iagree: It depends on the context no matter what your age is.

 

:iagree: Over 40.

 

Mature person: someone who shows wisdom in his/her actions, whatever the age

 

Mature audience: Hmm. Do I want to watch it?

 

Mature wine? Mmm. Yes please!

 

Mature on video game: NO!

 

etc.