untimely
Americanadjective
-
not timely; not occurring at a suitable time or season; ill-timed or inopportune.
An untimely downpour stopped the game.
- Synonyms:
- unsuitable, inconvenient, inappropriate, unseasonable
-
happening too soon or too early; premature.
his untimely demise.
adverb
adjective
-
occurring before the expected, normal, or proper time
an untimely death
-
inappropriate to the occasion, time, or season
his joking at the funeral was most untimely
adverb
Other Word Forms
- untimeliness noun
Etymology
Origin of untimely
First recorded in 1150–1200, untimely is from the Middle English word untimliche. See un- 1, timely
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.
Prince Charles is now England’s king, and Diana devoted herself to a life of service that helped her triumph in the international court of opinion before her untimely death.
From Salon
The main character grapples with the untimely death of his mother as he navigates a new, possibly treacherous, relationship.
From Los Angeles Times
Leicester's Adam Radwan's hopes of inclusion had been ended by an untimely leg injury.
From BBC
Perhaps you have feelings about MTV’s untimely alleged passing on Jan. 1.
From Salon
After a delay of 17 minutes, Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz - the tournament's top scorer with five goals - fluffed his lines from the penalty spot with a bizarre and untimely Panenka attempt.
From BBC
Definitions 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.
