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 seasonal spectacle will reach its untimely ending the night before Halloween at a secret location with only 1,000 unfortunate souls allowed entry (if that’s you, sign up at the mailing list at the Wondaween website for your chance to attend). —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025

The police union invoked Tully’s untimely death in calling for the no-confidence vote. —Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2025

This very publication grieved its untimely passing. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025

Yolonda Ross also spent all seven seasons portraying Jada, but her fan favorite character met an untimely end in the finale. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 1 Oct. 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