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

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for a final viewing of the TV shows who met an untimely death this year. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025

Bob Saget served as the series narrator, voicing Future Ted Mosby, before his untimely death in 2022. —Dory Jackson, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025

But this isn’t an Agatha Christie murder mystery, though there is, in each season, an untimely death. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025

Netflix is set to move ahead with the talent discovery show Building the Band, despite the untimely death of series judge Liam Payne, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025

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