timely

English Online Dictionary. What means timely‎? What does timely mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English timely, tymely, timliche, from Old English *tīmlīc (adj) and tīmlīċe (“in good time; timely; soon”, adverb), equivalent to time +‎ -ly. Cognate with Danish timelig, Swedish timlig, Icelandic tímalegur, tímanlegur.

Pronunciation

• enPR: tīmʹlē, IPA^(key): /ˈtaɪmli/

Adjective

timely (comparative timelier, superlative timeliest)

1. Done at the proper time or within the proper time limits; prompt.

   Synonyms: on time, well-timed; see also Thesaurus:punctual

   Antonyms: ill-timed, late; see also Thesaurus:overdue
2. Happening or appearing at the proper time.

   Synonyms: opportune, seasonable; see also Thesaurus:timely

   Antonyms: inopportune, unseasonable; see also Thesaurus:untimely
3. (obsolete) Keeping time or measure.

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

timely (comparative more timely, superlative most timely)

1. (archaic) In good time; early, quickly.
2. (obsolete) At the right time; seasonably.
3. (law) In compliance with applicable time limits.

See also

• seasonably
• tidely

Middle English

Adverb

timely

1. Alternative form of tymely