timely

1 of 2

adjective

time·​ly ˈtīm-lē 

timelier; timeliest

1

: coming early or at the right time

a timely decision

timely payment

2

: appropriate or adapted to the times or the occasion

a timely book

timeliness noun

timely

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in time : opportunely

the question was not … timely raised in the state court

—W. O. Douglas

2

archaic : early, soon

Synonyms

Adjective

• seasonable
• opportune
• appropriate
• proper
• anticipated
• well-timed
• expected
• relevant
• suitable
• pertinent

Examples of timely in a Sentence

Adjective

Her very timely book examines the effects of global warming on the world's climates.

She always responds to my requests in a timely fashion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Plummer and Evans-Shabazz held a news conference on September 30 with faith leaders, community leaders and students to push authorities to provide timely information on the bayou deaths and address the community’s safety concerns. —Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

What Happens Next The lack of timely payments for November does not mean that the benefits won't be paid at all. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Does someone have a timely bonus clause that will kick in if a certain threshold is reached? —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025

The same goes for answering anyone’s e-mails or texts in a timely fashion. —Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for timely

• sublimely
• untimely

Kids Definition

timely

adjective

time·​ly

ˈtīm-lē

timelier; timeliest

1

: coming early or at the right time

2

: especially suitable for the time

a timely book

timeliness noun

Legal Definition

timely

adjective

time·​ly

ˈtīm-lē

: falling within a prescribed or reasonable time

timely notice

timeliness noun

timely adverb