Definition of punctual
:being on time :prompt
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Examples of punctual in a Sentence
the punctual delivery of the daily mail
Recent Examples of punctual from the Web
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An ultra-low-cost carrier will never, ever try to be as punctual as a big legacy airline.
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As RCPO, my official duties included maintaining good order, discipline, security, and maintaining punctual training schedules.
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Occasionally gruff, relentlessly punctual and intensely private, Marcus cuts a different shape than his new ally.
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Generally, however, the report had good news for fliers overall: Airlines were more punctual, lost fewer bags, and bumped fewer customers in 2016 than in any other year since the study was started 26 years ago.
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Indeed, scientists have discovered that the group sex can be remarkably punctual, its onset typically at a precise but poorly understood time after dusk.
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Mike Afshin, the store manager, said Moore and another employee from the cult were always honest and punctual.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'punctual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The original meaning of punctual described a puncture made by a surgeon. The word has meant lots of other things through the centuries, usually involving being precise about small points. And today punctuality is all about time; a punctual train or a punctual payment or a punctual person shows up "on the dot".
Origin and Etymology of punctual
Middle English, having a sharp point, from Medieval Latin punctualis of a point, from Latin punctus pricking, point, from pungere to prick — more at pungent
PUNCTUAL Defined for English Language Learners
punctual
play
adjective
Definition of punctual for English Language Learners
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: arriving or doing something at the expected or planned time
PUNCTUAL Defined for Kids
punctual
play
adjective
punc·tu·al
\
ˈpəŋk-chə-wəl
\
Definition of punctual for Students
:arriving or acting at the right time :not late
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puntually
adverbWord Root of punctual
The Latin word pungere, meaning “to prick” or “to pierce,” and its form punctus give us the roots pung and punct. Words from the Latin pungere have something to do with pricking or piercing. To puncture is to pierce with something pointed. A pungent smell is one that is so strong and sharp that it pierces the nose. Someone punctual acts at the exact point when the hands of the clock prick the right moment. Punctuation pierces a string of words to form separate sentences.
Learn More about punctual
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for punctual Spanish Central: Translation of punctual Nglish: Translation of punctual for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of punctual for Arabic speakers
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