timely

1 of 2

adjective

time·​ly ˈtīm-lē 

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

Synonyms of timely

Adjective

• seasonable
• opportune
• appropriate
• proper
• anticipated
• well-timed
• expected
• relevant
• suitable
• pertinent

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

Adjective

For boards and executive teams, the focus is on developing clear insight and practical capabilities that support timely, credible responses when reputational challenges emerge. —John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Stewart’s future is timely because Connecticut Republicans will be nominating a candidate for governor at the state party’s convention at the Mohegan Sun casino on Saturday. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026

The creative team is not so much interested in nostalgia but feels there is a timely urgency behind revisiting the model’s life. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026

The 2019 audit prompted a Security Equipment Master Plan, but it was apparently not implemented in a timely fashion by de Cars’s predecessor, Jean-Luc Martinez. —Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026

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

Rhymes for timely

• sublimely
• untimely

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