untimely

1 of 2

adverb

un·​time·​ly ˌən-ˈtīm-lē How to pronounce untimely (audio)
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

Examples of untimely in a Sentence

Adjective the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
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
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 See All Example Sentences for untimely

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of untimely was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untimely. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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

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