untimely

1 of 2

adverb

un·​time·​ly ˌən-ˈtīm-lē 

1

: at an inopportune time : unseasonably

… thought I was mad, or most untimely merry …

—T. E. Lawrence

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

a

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

an untimely death

b

: not made, done, or submitted within a set time period

an untimely petition

untimeliness noun

Synonyms of untimely

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

According to state police, the incident is being investigated as an untimely death. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

The abject terror of reproduction was personified by Lamashtu, demoness of the night, drinker of blood, eater of flesh, slayer of children, untimely opener of wombs, ravager of women. — Eleanor Johnson, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

The 2023 mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner paramilitary company, led not to revolution but to his own untimely death. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Spencer also writes about the devastating events surrounding Diana’s untimely death in 1997. — Sophie Dunne, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

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