untimely

[uhn-tahym-lee]

adjective

untimelier, untimeliest 

1. not timely; not occurring at a suitable time or season; ill-timed or inopportune.

   An untimely downpour stopped the game.

   Synonyms: unsuitable, inconvenient, inappropriate, unseasonable

2. happening too soon or too early; premature.

   his untimely demise.

adverb

1. prematurely.

2. unseasonably.

untimely

/ ʌnˈtaɪmlɪ /

adjective

1. occurring before the expected, normal, or proper time

   an untimely death

2. inappropriate to the occasion, time, or season

   his joking at the funeral was most untimely

adverb

1. prematurely or inopportunely

Other Word Forms

• untimeliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of untimely¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, untimely is from the Middle English word untimliche. See un- ¹, timely

Idioms and Phrases

see come to an (untimely) end.

Example Sentences

"His untimely loss strikes deep within us all, and leaves a huge gap," Father Powell said.

From BBC

"We are taking comfort from the words of support we have received whilst we take time to come to terms with the untimely loss of our blue-eyed boy," they added.

From BBC

As warmer spotlights go, “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” may never fully expunge what maddens and mystifies about the untimely end of troubled souls.

From Los Angeles Times

Sentencing, Lord Matthews said the "untimely and needless loss" of Mr McGready had caused "incalculable" grief to those close to him.

From BBC

But suspicions of conspiracy have surrounded his case and his untimely death due to his known association with some of the country’s most powerful men.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ill-timed 
• improper 
• premature 
• undue 
• unfortunate