punctuality
AmericanOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of punctuality
Explanation
Punctuality is the state of being prompt. You might come home from a European trip exclaiming over the punctuality of German trains, which are always on time. Punctuality is an important quality when it comes to things like public transportation and job interviews. If you're known for always showing up exactly when you say you will, people will start to depend on your punctuality. The Latin root of punctuality is punctus, a sharp point. This is why people who value punctuality will tell you to meet them at, say, six o'clock sharp, or right on the dot — in other words, at exactly the agreed-upon time.
Vocabulary lists containing punctuality
1-2-3 Scream!
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Maizy Chen's Last Chance
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Kristy's Great Idea
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For a railway company proud of its record for punctuality, this year's disrupted schedule is posing a major challenge.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
In Germany, a country once known for precision, punctuality and trains that run on time, that is a work in progress.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
The researchers identified one exception to the finding that replying quickly pays off: If a candidate’s response looks like it was AI-generated, the positive feelings associated with punctuality disappear.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
But Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder in September pushed back a punctuality target of 70 percent for long-distance trains to 2029 from 2026.
From Barron's ● Mar. 27, 2026
One of the things Kaori appreciated most about Virgil was his punctuality.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
