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

The wedding came nearly a decade after Charles’ divorce from Diana and her untimely death. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our story on Meredith Gaudreau’s announcement of the birth of her and Johnny Gaudreau’s third baby, months after his untimely death. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

That choice would change much of the course of the film due to Timo’s tragic, untimely death, which catapulted the directors into a storm of bureaucracy and emotional turmoil. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025

Meredith Gaudreau, wife of the late hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, welcomed the couple’s third baby seven months after his untimely death. —Eliza Thompson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 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

Rhymes for untimely

• sublimely
• timely

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