untimely

1 of 2

adverb

un·​time·​ly ˌən-ˈtīm-lē 

1

: at an inopportune time : unseasonably

2

: before the due, natural, or proper time : prematurely

went untimely to the grave

untimely

2 of 2

adjective

1

: inopportune, unseasonable

an untimely joke

untimely frost

2

: occurring or done before the due, natural, or proper time : too early : premature

an untimely death

untimeliness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• early
• inopportune
• precocious
• premature
• unseasonable

Examples of untimely in a Sentence

Adjective

the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Allison Holker is continuing her mission of helping others who are facing trauma and grief following the untimely death of her husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss in December 2022. —Melody Chiu, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2024

Had he not been freed in last month’s prisoner swap with the United States, Yashin, too, might have met an untimely death. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2024

The move shows how JPMorgan, the biggest American investment bank by revenue, is responding to the latest untimely death on Wall Street. —Hugh Son, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2024

Celebrities including Lil Duval, Quavo, and Playboi Carti are remembering Atlanta rap great Rich Homie Quan following his untimely death at 33 on Thursday. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

untimely

adjective

un·​time·​ly

ˌən-ˈtīm-lē,

ˈən-

1

: occurring or done before the expected, natural, or proper time : premature

untimely death

2

: coming at the wrong time

an untimely joke

Legal Definition

untimely

adjective

un·​time·​ly

ˌən-ˈtīm-lē

: not timely

especially : not made or filed within a period of time specified by procedural rule

an untimely petition

untimeliness noun

untimely adverb