punctual

adjective

punc·​tu·​al ˈpəŋk-chə-wəl 

-chəl

: being on time : prompt

punctuality

ˌpəŋk-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

punctually

ˈpəŋk-chə-wə-lē 

-chə-lē

adverb

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".

Synonyms

• immediate
• prompt
• speedy
• timely

Examples of punctual in a Sentence

the punctual delivery of the daily mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Being punctual is considered synonymous with being German. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Europe, 3 July 2024

Nearly half of Gen Z workers say that arriving to work five to 10 minutes late is tantamount to being punctual, but most baby boomer bosses don’t tolerate tardiness. —Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 25 June 2024

Jesse Colson, a punctual teenage driver, never had to wear it. —Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 19 Apr. 2024

The results for the most punctual domestic airlines from May 2024 are in, offering a glimpse of what travelers can expect heading into the peak summer season. —Stella Shon, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

punctual

adjective

punc·​tu·​al ˈpəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)l 

: acting or usually acting at an appointed time or at a regularly scheduled time

the trains were punctual

punctuality

ˌpəŋ(k)-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

noun

punctually

ˈpəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)-lē 

adverb