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

To help the crew survive—or meet their untimely demise–players’ choices in terms of relationship building and skills at evading other terrors that roam the planet determine where the story takes you. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 June 2025

Team officials have seen promising seasons go up in smoke because they’ve been ravaged by untimely health issues at cornerback. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 19 June 2025

Following the news of Burrell’s untimely death, Falkner, 59, posted about her recent reunion with the Worst Cooks in America host. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 18 June 2025

For years before his untimely death in a car accident, the late Danny Agnew had been conjuring up the idea for a bookstore. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 18 June 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