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 • Feb. 12, 2026
There is a misconception about Pimenta that she has stepped into the role left by Mino Raiola's untimely death in April 2020.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026
The main character grapples with the untimely death of his mother as he navigates a new, possibly treacherous, relationship.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
Holiday has been revered by singers of all genres and eras since her untimely death at 44.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
Each untimely end came draped in its own shroud of dread, like a recurring nightmare that never lost its potency.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
