untimely

1 of 2

adverb

un·​time·​ly ˌən-ˈtīm-lē 

1

: at an inopportune time : unseasonably

2

: before the due, natural, or proper time : prematurely

went untimely to the grave

untimely

2 of 2

adjective

1

: inopportune, unseasonable

an untimely joke

untimely frost

2

: occurring or done before the due, natural, or proper time : too early : premature

an untimely death

untimeliness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• early
• premature
• unexpected
• sudden
• inopportune

Examples of untimely in a Sentence

Adjective

the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The films also plumbs the untimely death of its director Kamal Selim at the age of just 34, one of Egypt’s greatest directors. —John Hopewell, Variety, 30 June 2025

The autopsies later proved, though, that a head injury did not play a factor in Mays’ untimely death. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 June 2025

At the time of Payne’s untimely death last October, Netflix halted production on Building the Band. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025

But when Gi-seok is brutally murdered, Gi-jun returns to the underworld to uncover the truth behind his brother’s untimely death, embarking on a bloodthirsty quest for revenge. —Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for untimely

• sublimely
• timely

Kids Definition

untimely

adjective

un·​time·​ly

ˌən-ˈtīm-lē,

ˈən-

1

: occurring or done before the expected, natural, or proper time : premature

untimely death

2

: coming at the wrong time

an untimely joke

Legal Definition

untimely

adjective

un·​time·​ly

ˌən-ˈtīm-lē

: not timely

especially : not made or filed within a period of time specified by procedural rule

an untimely petition

untimeliness noun

untimely adverb