untimely Meaning & Definition
What Does Untimely Mean?
As an adverb, untimely means at an inopportune time. It can also mean before the due, natural, or proper time. As an adjective, it means inopportune, unseasonable.
Untimely at a Glance
| Part of speech | adverb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˌən-ˈtīm-lē/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Synonyms | wrong, early and inopportune |
| Antonyms | late, behindhand and belated |
| Comparative / superlative | untimelier, untimeliest |
Untimely Definition (Adverb)
- at an inopportune time : unseasonably
… thought I was mad, or most untimely merry …
- before the due, natural, or proper time : prematurely
went untimely to the grave
Untimely as an Adjective
- inopportune, unseasonable
an untimely joke / untimely frost
- occurring or done before the due, natural, or proper time : too early : premature
an untimely death
- not made, done, or submitted within a set time period
an untimely petition
Synonyms of Untimely
Untimely synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Untimely
Untimely in a Sentence
untimely remarks
an untimely death
… thought I was mad, or most untimely merry …
went untimely to the grave
an untimely joke
untimely frost
an untimely petition
the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
an untimely joke / untimely frost
Word Forms & Grammar
untimely
un·time·li·ness noun
untimeliness
untimelinesses
untimely (comparative untimelier or more untimely, superlative untimeliest or most untimely)
untimely (comparative more untimely, superlative most untimely)
Words That Rhyme With Untimely
Origin of Untimely
From Middle English untymely (also earlier untimliche), equivalent to un- + timely. First attested in the early 13th century.[1][2] Compare Middle Danish utimelig, Old English untídlic (“unseasonable”).[3]
First Known Use
13th century
How to Pronounce Untimely
Untimely is pronounced /ˌən-ˈtīm-lē/ and has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (tīm).
Untimely: Your Questions Answered
Is untimely an adverb or an adjective?
Untimely is mainly used as an adverb, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is another word for untimely?
Close synonyms of untimely are wrong, early and inopportune. See the full list of untimely synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of untimely?
Antonyms of untimely include late, behindhand, belated and delinquent.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of untimely?
The comparative form is untimelier and the superlative form is untimeliest.