timely

The word “timely” means happening at just the right moment. In plain terms, coming at exactly the right time — neither too early nor too late.

“Timely” is pronounced TYM-lee (/ˈtaɪmli/ in IPA).

Here is “timely” used in a sentence: “Her timely warning prevented an accident.”

Words with a similar meaning to “timely” include well-timed, tempestive, opportune, seasonable, tidy and timeous.

The opposite of “timely” — its antonyms — is untimely.

“Timely” is an adjective.

The word “timely” comes from Old English. From Old English roots combining "time" with the suffix "-ly", meaning "in a time-appropriate way".

“Timely” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Timely describes something happening at just the right moment, often emphasizing good judgment about when something occurs, such as a timely warning. Prompt emphasizes speed and quickness of response rather than the appropriateness of the moment, such as a prompt reply.

Timely is common in formal and professional writing, such as business, journalism, and academic contexts, where phrases like a timely intervention or timely reminder are standard. It is less common in casual conversation, where words like well-timed or right on time are more typical.

A common mistake is treating timely as if it needs an adverb ending, writing timelily, which is not a standard word; timely itself is already the adverb-like adjective form used before nouns, as in a timely response. Timely functions only as an adjective, so it should modify a noun directly rather than a verb.