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
Adjective
Steeped in fascinating tidbits about her life, Swift recounts how Harkness, who inherited the riches from her oil tycoon husband’s untimely death and even became the richest woman in America at one point, was considered an outcast and a madwoman for her unconventional choices and lavish lifestyle. Samantha Cooney, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024 Before his untimely death at the age of 33 in 1997, Farley appeared in the comedy series for five seasons before being fired alongside Adam Sandler in 1995. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024 This June marks 30 years since Brown Simpson's untimely death. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024 Lifetime is working on a new documentary surrounding the life and untimely death of Nicole Brown Simpson. Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024 In a doleful irony, his digital rerecording of the piece, taken at a more stately tempo and with other changes, would be the last Gould album released by Columbia before his untimely death at age 50 in 1982. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024 Smash Mouth is ready to pay tribute to Steve Harwell seven months after his untimely death at age 56. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024 Before his untimely death, Mr. Lin was something of a celebrity in the world of young Chinese entrepreneurs. David Pierson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024 Tammy Daybell died in her sleep in November 2019, the untimely death first chalked up to natural causes but later determined to be from asphyxiation, according to an autopsy. CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'untimely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near untimely

Cite this Entry

“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untimely. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on untimely

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