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

Houston appeared to develop close friendships with the cast before her untimely death in February 2012. —Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 18 June 2024

The Broome Street location was previously home to Heath Ledger, before his untimely passing in 2008. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2024

About 10 months later, in November of 2023, Learfield submitted a second RFP bid, which was deemed untimely and noncompliant with the RFP process. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 June 2024

The fates of Henry VIII’s wives are well known, with a particularly macabre children’s rhyme dedicated to their untimely ends. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 June 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