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

Investigation Discovery's The Tech Bro Murders tells the tale of Silicon Valley stars who came to untimely ends. —PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025

The couple were first spotted together in April 2024 — a month after the tragic and untimely death of Sabalenka's ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, who died by suicide in March 2024. —Maddie Garfinkle, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025

The trailer ends with the canine protagonist watching a videotape of a man seemingly accepting his untimely fate. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the loan servicer was penalized for allegedly sending untimely or incorrect billing statements to borrowers. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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