Cool MateBecome vs Mature
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Become
Top 1,000 (very common)A1
Mature
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Most common: Become
| Become | Mature | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈkʌm/","/bɪˈkʌmz/","/bɪˈkeɪm/","/bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈkʌm/","/bɪˈkʌmz/","/bɪˈkeɪm/","/bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //məˈtjʊə//🇺🇸 //məˈtʃʊr// |
| Meaning | to change into something else or start being something | Fully grown or developed. |
| Example | I want to become a doctor when I grow up. | He is a very mature individual for his age. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | become a leader, become friends, become successful, become aware, become possible | mature audience, mature relationship, mature decisions, mature tree, mature products |
| Antonyms | remain, stay, continue | immature, undeveloped, young |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'become' vs 'became' - remember 'become' is present and 'became' is past., Using 'become' with an infinitive instead of a gerund (e.g., saying 'become to do' instead of 'become doing')., Incorrectly using 'become' without an object when one is needed (e.g., forgetting to say what they become). | Confused with 'immature' for opposites., Using 'mature' for young people or animals., Omitting the context when 'mature' implies wisdom. |
| Usage notes | Use 'become' when discussing changes in state, condition, or identity. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using in overly casual situations where simpler verbs might fit better. | Use 'mature' to describe fully developed people, animals, or things. Avoid using it to describe young subjects. |
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Frequently asked questions: Become vs Mature
What's the difference between Become and Mature?
Become: to change into something else or start being something Mature: Fully grown or developed.
Which is more common: Become and Mature?
Become is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Become and Mature?
Mature is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Become and Mature the same CEFR level?
Become: A1, Mature: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Become: I want to become a doctor when I grow up. Mature: He is a very mature individual for his age.
Can I use Become and Mature interchangeably?
Not always. Become and Mature are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.