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The original meaning of punctual described a puncture made by a surgeon. The word has meant lots of other things through the centuries, usually involving being precise about small points. And today punctuality is all about time; a punctual train or a punctual payment or a punctual person shows up "on the dot".
Examples of punctual in a Sentence
the punctual delivery of the daily mail
Recent Examples on the Web
The general etiquette missteps while attending an event are not RSVP, not being punctual, not bringing a gift, not making a good impression, inappropriate dress code, not knowing when to leave, not sending a thank you card.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
In Boston, where the crowds are typically punctual, the TD Garden seats were full for Jaylen Brown’s unexpected magic show.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Ahead of the World Series, which begins tonight, Dan Greene, Daniel A. Gross, and Zach Helfand, who together make up the coaching staff of our vaunted softball team, thought that the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers might appreciate some tips based on their expertise:
Be punctual.
—Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
In 2023, the airport ranked as the world’s most punctual, according to a report from the travel data analytics firm Cirium.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punctual 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
In Boston, where the crowds are typically punctual, the TD Garden seats were full for Jaylen Brown’s unexpected magic show.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Ahead of the World Series, which begins tonight, Dan Greene, Daniel A. Gross, and Zach Helfand, who together make up the coaching staff of our vaunted softball team, thought that the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers might appreciate some tips based on their expertise:
Be punctual.
—Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
In 2023, the airport ranked as the world’s most punctual, according to a report from the travel data analytics firm Cirium.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punctual
Dictionary Entries Near punctual
Cite this Entry
“Punctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctual. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punctual
adjective
punc·tu·al
ˈpəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)l 
: acting or usually acting at an appointed time or at a regularly scheduled time
the trains were punctual
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