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timely

USTYM-lee/ˈtaɪmli/

Formstimelier, timeliest

6 meanings of timely

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Coming at just the right moment, not too early or too late.

    Like catching a bus right as it pulls up, not a moment too soon or too late.

    Her timely warning helped everyone leave the building safely.

    The rain was timely, arriving just as the crops began to dry out.

    Similaropportune, seasonable

    Oppositeinopportune, unseasonable

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Finished or done on time, within the limit that is allowed.

    Like turning in your homework before the bell rings.

    The team made a timely delivery, finishing the work before the deadline.

    Thanks to timely repairs, the factory reopened on schedule.

    Similarprompt, punctual, seasonable

    Oppositelate, premature

    Note
  3. 3
    adverb
    In a way that meets the deadlines the rules require.

    Her appeal was timely filed, so the court agreed to hear it.

    The worker timely asked for a hearing, so the board had to listen to her side.

    Oppositelate

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    adverbarchaic
    At an early time, soon and without delay.

    Like leaving home early so you arrive before everyone else.

    They set out timely to reach the village before dark.

    If I had been born more timely, he said, Rhaegar would have married me instead of Elia, and it would all have come out different.
    2000, George R[aymond] R[ichard] Martin, “Daenerys [Targaryen]”Here, timely means earlier, at an earlier time.
    Note
  2. 5
    adverbobsolete
    At the right time, when the season or moment is best.

    Like planting seeds in spring, exactly when the weather is right.

    The farmers planted timely, just as the spring rains began.

    And this we shall more readily perform, if we timely survey our knowledge, impartially singling out those encroachments, which junior compliance and popular credulity hath admitted.
    1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia EpidemicaHere, timely means at the right time, without delay.
    Note
  3. 6
    adjectiveobsolete
    Keeping a steady beat or measure, as in music.
    High lifted up were many loftie towres, / And goodly galleries farre over laid, / Full of faire windowes and delightful bowres; / And on the top a Diall told the timely howres.
    1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, timely means keeping regular time, marking the hours steadily.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English words meaning "in good time" or "soon," made from "time" plus "-ly."