First Known Use: 1650
Dictionary
precocious
adjective pre·co·cious \pri-ˈkō-shəs\
of a child : having or showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age
Full Definition of PRECOCIOUS
1
: exceptionally early in development or occurrence <precocious puberty>
2
: exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age <a precocious child>
— pre·co·cious·ly adverb
— pre·co·cious·ness noun
— pre·coc·i·ty \pri-ˈkä-sə-tē\ noun
See precocious defined for English-language learners
See precocious defined for kids
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Examples of PRECOCIOUS
- But what has paleontologists agog is this googol-granddaddy's precocious attributes: most notably the relative flatness of its face, which is more modern-looking than skulls half its age. —Fred Guterl, Newsweek, 22 July 2002
- As a boy, I had caught eight-inch-long, juvenile “snapper” blues in Barnegat Bay and marveled at the uncommon strength and speed and the precocious attack instinct within their slender, silver bodies. —Pete Bodo, New York Times, 8 July 2001
- … Columbus was still sailing the ocean blue and American English, frisky and rambunctious as a precocious child, was as yet unborn. —Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2000
- … no longer certain that my blackness gave me precocious wisdom, or that I could outslick these folks … —Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991
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Origin of PRECOCIOUS
Latin praecoc-, praecox early ripening, precocious, from prae- + coquere to cook — more at cook
Related to PRECOCIOUS
- Synonyms
- inopportune, early, premature, unseasonable, untimely
- Antonyms
- late
Other Biology Terms
PRECOCIOUSLY Defined for Kids
precocious
adjective pre·co·cious \pri-ˈkō-shəs\
Definition of PRECOCIOUS for Kids
: showing qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age
— pre·co·cious·ly adverb <precociously talented>
Medical Dictionary
precocious
adjective pre·co·cious \pri-ˈkō-shəs\
Medical Definition of PRECOCIOUS
1
: exceptionally early in development or occurrence <precocious puberty>
2
: exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age
—pre·co·cious·ly adverb
—pre·co·cious·ness noun
Learn More About PRECOCIOUS
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