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

A lot has happened since Garnet Hills started business, including the untimely death of the founder couple in a 1985 plane crash and the sale of the family business to live shopping company QVC Group in 2017. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Quavo sat down with Complex’s Idea Generation and talked about how Takeoff’s untimely death helped mend his fractured relationship with their childhood friend and fellow Migos groupmate. — Angel Diaz, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

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

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