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UNTIMELY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Uncommonly early or before the expected time
Example:
alcohol brought him to an untimely end
Synonyms:
premature; untimely
Classified under:
Similar:
early (at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time)
Derivation:
untimeliness (being at an inappropriate time)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Badly timed
Example:
it was the wrong moment for a joke
Synonyms:
ill-timed; unseasonable; untimely; wrong
Classified under:
Similar:
inopportune (not opportune)
Derivation:
untimeliness (the quality of occurring at an inconvenient time)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Too soon; in a premature manner
Example:
I spoke prematurely
Synonyms:
prematurely; untimely
Classified under:
Pertainym:
untimely (uncommonly early or before the expected time)
Context examples:
Under the influence of this delusion, she dived into the coal-cellar at the most untimely hours, and scarcely ever opened the door of a dark cupboard without clapping it to again, in the belief that she had got him.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Quite alarmed at being the only recipient of this untimely visit, and the only spectator of this portentous behaviour, I exclaimed again, Pray tell me, Miss Mowcher, what is the matter! are you ill?
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
