punctual

[puhngk-choo-uhl]

adjective

1. strictly observant of an appointed or regular time; not late; prompt.

2. made, occurring, etc., at the scheduled or proper time.

   punctual payment.

3. pertaining to or of the nature of a point.

4. punctilious.

punctual

/ ˈpʌŋktjʊəl /

adjective

1. arriving or taking place at an arranged time; prompt

2. (of a person) having the characteristic of always keeping to arranged times, as for appointments, meetings, etc

3. obsolete,  precise; exact; apposite

4. maths consisting of or confined to a point in space

Other Word Forms

• punctually adverb
• punctualness noun
• nonpunctual adjective
• nonpunctually adverb
• nonpunctualness noun
• unpunctual adjective
• unpunctually adverb
• unpunctualness noun
• punctuality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of punctual¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin pūnctuālis of a point, equivalent to Latin pūnctu ( s ) a point, a pricking ( pung ( ere ) to prick + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ālis -al ¹; pungent

Word History and Origins

Origin of punctual¹

C14: from Medieval Latin punctuālis concerning detail, from Latin punctum point

Example Sentences

Not an auspicious beginning to an hour-long conversation with England’s loudest and most punctual band.

From Los Angeles Times

The host country being Switzerland, punctual transport is catered for.

From BBC

"You could have a route where the trains are really expensive but very punctual... similarly, if there's another station over here where trains are similarly punctual, but almost half the price," Mark adds.

From BBC

It said this was not acceptable and everyone was working hard to ensure train services were reliable and punctual.

From BBC

That would have suited Wintour, who is “horribly punctual, usually early”.

From BBC

Related Words

• dependable 
• expeditious