untimely
/ʌnˈtaɪmli/ (bre, ipa) · [əntˈaɪmli] /ʌnˈtaɪmli/ (ame, ipa) · [əntˈaɪmli] /ˌən-ˈtīm-lē How to pronounce untimely (audio)/ (ame, mw)
untimely — adjective
- untimelypositive
- more untimelycomparative
- most untimelysuperlative
1. happening before the right time or at a moment when it is not wanted, especially
happening before the right time or at a moment when it is not wanted, especially for something unfortunate like a death or an interruption
Haruto's untimely death at thirty-two left his family heartbroken.
collocation: untimely death
The untimely arrival of the inspectors caught the team in the middle of an upgrade.
untimely + arrival / interruption
An untimely phone call woke Beatriz just before she signed the contract.
Ezra regretted the untimely joke he made during the funeral service.
Heavy rain arrived at an untimely moment for the farmers planting their new crops.
- premature
focuses only on happening too early, not on being inappropriate
- inopportune
focuses on bad timing and inconvenience, not on earliness
- ill-timed
similar meaning but more common in everyday speech
- inconvenient
broader word; can describe anything that causes difficulty, not only bad timing
文法句型
untimely + [negative event noun]
用法筆記
Almost always describes something negative or unwelcome; it sounds strange when applied to happy events. Typically appears before the noun it modifies.
常見錯誤
untimely — adverb
1. at a moment that is awkward or not right for what is going on
at a moment that is awkward or not right for what is going on
The fire alarm sounded untimely during Tamar's wedding vows.
untimely + during [formal event]
A storm rolled in untimely on the morning of the outdoor festival.
The power failed untimely while Noor was presenting to the board.
Kwame's question came untimely, right as the head nurse finished her briefing.
- inopportunely
same meaning; slightly more common in modern formal English
- at the wrong moment
everyday equivalent; much more natural in conversation
- opportunely
at a favourable or convenient time
文法句型
verb + untimely
用法筆記
Formal and somewhat dated; in everyday conversation, rephrase with 'at the wrong moment' or 'at an awkward time.'
2. before the proper or expected time; earlier than something should happen
before the proper or expected time; earlier than something should happen
Aarav's hair turned grey untimely, while he was still in his twenties.
untimely for premature physical change
The flowers bloomed untimely during the warm spell in February.
The old oak tree fell untimely in the storm, crushing the garden shed.
William's grandmother died untimely, just weeks before the family reunion.
- prematurely
the standard modern word for 'too early'; preferred in most contexts
- too soon
everyday equivalent; natural in speech and writing
- before one's time
idiomatic equivalent, often used of death or departure
- in due time
at the proper or expected moment
文法句型
verb + untimely
用法筆記
Formal and somewhat dated; in everyday English, 'too early' or 'prematurely' are much more common. Often used of death.