✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

timely

1 of 2

adjective

time·​ly ˈtīm-lē How to pronounce timely (audio)
timelier; timeliest
1
: coming early or at the right time
a timely decision
timely payment
2
: appropriate or adapted to the times or the occasion
a timely book
timeliness noun

timely

2 of 2

adverb

1
: in time : opportunely
… the question was not … timely raised in the state court.W. O. Douglas
2
archaic : early, soon

Examples of timely in a Sentence

Adjective Her very timely book examines the effects of global warming on the world's climates. She always responds to my requests in a timely fashion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Additionally, WatchOS 26 introduces helpful new features, including a convenient wrist flick gesture and timely suggestions. PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025 The hospital noted that sickle cell disproportionately affects Black families, and many families on Chicago's South Side lack timely access to care and have to rely on emergency departments. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025 His elite resume made his June retirement a surprise to many, and his decision to unretire just before the playoff push feel like an important, timely reinforcement. Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025 Despite being the attorney of record for two detainees at the Krome detention center, a Plantation immigration lawyer didn’t show up for asylum hearing of one and didn’t timely file asylum paperwork for the other. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for timely

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of timely was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timely. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

timely

adjective
time·​ly
ˈtīm-lē
timelier; timeliest
1
: coming early or at the right time
2
: especially suitable for the time
a timely book
timeliness noun

Legal Definition

timely

adjective
time·​ly
ˈtīm-lē
: falling within a prescribed or reasonable time
timely notice
timeliness noun
timely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on timely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!