ENGLISH
REFERENCE

untimely

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ənˈtaɪmɫi// UK //ʌntˈaɪmli// un·time·ly

adj. happening at a bad time or much sooner than expected. It often describes something sad, like a person dying young.

adj. occurring at an unsuitable or premature moment. Often used to describe a death or an event that disrupts a planned sequence.


SIMPLE

His untimely arrival interrupted our private conversation.

CONTEXTUAL

The project faced several delays following the untimely departure of the lead engineer mid-way through the development phase.

COMPLEX

The sudden and untimely frost destroyed the blossoms before they could be pollinated, leading to a significantly reduced harvest for the local orchards that autumn.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English untymely (also earlier untimliche), equivalent to un- + timely. First attested in the early 13th century. Compare Middle Danish utimelig, Old English untídlic (“unreasonable”).

Usage

Often used attributively before nouns like 'death', 'end', or 'arrival'.

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