untimely

[ uhn-tahym-lee ]

adjective

, un·time·li·er, un·time·li·est.

1. not timely; not occurring at a suitable time or season; ill-timed or inopportune:

   An untimely downpour stopped the game.

   Synonyms: unsuitable, inconvenient, inappropriate, unseasonable

2. happening too soon or too early; premature:

   his untimely demise.

adverb

1. prematurely.
2. unseasonably.

untimely

/ ʌnˈtaɪmlɪ /

adjective

1. occurring before the expected, normal, or proper time

   an untimely death

2. inappropriate to the occasion, time, or season

   his joking at the funeral was most untimely

adverb

1. prematurely or inopportunely

Derived Forms

• unˈtimeliness, noun

Other Words From

• un·timeli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of untimely¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, untimely is from the Middle English word untimliche. See un- ¹, timely

Idioms and Phrases

see come to an (untimely) end .

Example Sentences

When Tony Blair became leader, following John Smith's untimely death in 1994, he too recognised the importance of keeping John Prescott on board.

From BBC

"We know that fireworks can cause stress to other animals in the zoo and we cannot rule out that they may have contributed to the untimely death of Roxie’s mother Ginger, just five days’ earlier."

From BBC

Marlowe Sommer also wrote that Morrissey’s motion was untimely, noting the prosecutor missed an Aug. 30 deadline to file the motion.

From Los Angeles Times

“Alex’s untimely death is extremely sad and a great loss but I guess his great legacy is that he took the independence movement to where it is today.”

From BBC

The ombudsman concluded that these failings amounted to “a loss of opportunity for the patient, which ultimately led to his untimely death”.

From BBC

Related Words

• ill-timed
• improper
• premature
• undue
• unfortunate