untimely

1 of 2

adverb

un·​time·​ly ˌən-ˈtīm-lē How to pronounce untimely (audio)
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

Examples of untimely in a Sentence

Adjective the untimely arrival of our guests caught us by surprise
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
If a live performance can be deemed hallowed ground, then Selena Quintanilla at the Houston Astrodome in February 1995, a month before her untimely death, certainly qualifies. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 Featuring raw interviews with his former girlfriends Wasser and Rebecca Moore and his mother, Mary Guibert, director Amy Berg's new documentary is an exploration of Buckley's life and untimely death from accidental drowning. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025 Written and directed by Luis Valdez, the 1987 biopic chronicles the rise of Pacoima teen rocker Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, before his untimely death in a 1959 plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 That period overlapped with Princess Diana's untimely death at age 36 in August 1997 following a car accident in Paris in which photographers pursued her vehicle. Janine Henni, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for untimely 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of untimely was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near untimely

Cite this Entry

“Untimely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untimely. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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

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