untimely

[ uhn-tahym-lee ]

/ ʌnˈtaɪm li /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for untimely on Thesaurus.com

adjective, un·time·li·er, un·time·li·est.

not timely; not occurring at a suitable time or season; ill-timed or inopportune: An untimely downpour stopped the game.

happening too soon or too early; premature: his untimely demise.

adverb

prematurely.

unseasonably.

OTHER WORDS FOR untimely

1 unseasonable, inappropriate, inconvenient, unsuitable.

See synonyms for untimely on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of untimely

First recorded in 1150–1200, untimely is from the Middle English word untimliche.See un-¹, timely

OTHER WORDS FROM untimely

un·time·li·ness, noun

Words nearby untimely

unthread, unthrone, untidy, untie, until, untimely, untimeous, untinged, untiring, untitled, unto

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use untimely in a sentence

Any of the four could take home the award with a strong second half, though all run the risk of someone else’s untimely injury thrusting them back into the starting lineup.
Halfway Through The WNBA Season, Who’s Leading The Awards Race?|Howard Megdal|August 10, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
On average, the detainees were just 42 years old when they died, leading the researchers to conclude that the health care decisions made by detention center staff could have contributed to their untimely deaths.
Few immigrants in detention have been vaccinated. That needs to change.|Nicole Narea|July 14, 2021|Vox
Season one explores the life and untimely death of legendary music executive Chris Lighty, while season two looks at the celebrated career of rapper Uncle Luke as he fought against censorship.
Great Listens About Great Music|Sean Culligan|June 25, 2021|Ozy
Between that and their untimely hitting, the Twins have easily been the worst clutch team in baseball — as much worse than No.
The Most Disappointing Teams In MLB So Far|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|May 20, 2021|FiveThirtyEight

I’m not alone here, and I can’t, under any circumstances, let the other occupant know where I am, lest I meet an untimely end.
I Finished Half-Life: Alyx in 12 Hours and Can't Stop Thinking About It|Matthew Gault|March 23, 2020|Time
“All members of the Court and the public announce the untimely death of Lucia Aielli,” the announcement said.
Days of Mafia Mayhem Are Wracking Italy Once Again|Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He saves the helpless from burning buildings and puppies from untimely deaths.
The Ugly Truth About Cory Booker, New Jersey’s Golden Boy|Olivia Nuzzi|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For stories, for life, and the amazing meals we shared before his untimely death.
Michael Hastings' Hunger for Life|Jack Gray|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This whole thing resembles, in a way, the rise and untimely fall of Kurt Cobain.
Addiction & Fame: How Flappy Bird is the App Store’s Grunge Moment|Leigh Alexander|February 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whoever sold Hoffman this brand of narcotic aided in his untimely death.
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Deadly ‘Ace of Spades' Heroin|Marlow Stern|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Tayabas the officiousness of the Governor almost brought him to an untimely end.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
You may be overheard, and give pain or cause annoyance by your untimely conversation.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Topping must not be delayed after the blossoming, in order that all danger from an untimely frost may be avoided.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away, like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
He had been more to me than any of my other companions, and deeply I sorrowed over his untimely fate.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for untimely

untimely

/ (ʌnˈtaɪmlɪ) /

adjective

occurring before the expected, normal, or proper timean untimely death

inappropriate to the occasion, time, or seasonhis joking at the funeral was most untimely

adverb

prematurely or inopportunely

Derived forms of untimely

untimeliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with untimely

untimely

see come to an (untimely) end.

untimely

OTHER WORDS FOR untimely

Origin of untimely

OTHER WORDS FROM untimely

Words nearby untimely

Words related to untimely

How to use untimely in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for untimely

Derived forms of untimely

Other Idioms and Phrases with untimely