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Definitions

timely

[tahym-lee] / ˈtaɪm li /
ADJECTIVE
at the right time
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appropriate convenient prompt proper up-to-date up-to-the-minute
STRONG
well-timed
WEAK
auspicious favorable fit fitting in good time in the nick of time judicious likely meet modern now opportune pat promising propitious prosperous punctual seasonable suitable timeous towardly with it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
improper unsuitable unsuited
WEAK
inappropriate inopportune untimely

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for timely?
Timely is used to describe something that happens at the right time or the scheduled time, as in a timely payment or a timely delivery. In this case, you could substitute timely with prompt or on-time. Timely can also describe something that happens at a time that’s best or most beneficial. In these cases, you can use words like appropriate, fitting, or well-timed. If something is timely in a lucky or coincidental way that leads to good fortune, you could describe it as serendipitous, as in Your card with the extra cash was especially serendipitous—it arrived on the day I ran out of money. Serendipitous indicates a level of good fortune that timely doesn’t necessarily imply.
What’s a synonym for timely manner?
When something is done in a timely manner, you could say that it was done in a timely fashion or that it was done promptly, which emphasizes that it was done quickly or right away. Saying that something was done quickly implies speed but not necessarily that it was done well or that it met the required deadline. Something done in a timely manner could be said to have been done efficiently, which suggests that it was done properly and without wasting time.
How do you use timely in a sentence?
Timely is a pretty common word that’s typically used in the context of when and how things are, should be, or are required to be done or completed. Despite it’s -ly ending, it’s never used as an adverb—It’s always used as an adjective, often in phrases like timely manner and timely fashion. Here are some examples of timely in a sentence:
  • It’s impossible to get to school in a timely manner without coffee—I feel like I’m in slow motion otherwise.
  • Pay your bills in a timely fashion, or you’ll rack up a lot of late fees. 
  • Your email was very timely—it answered the question I was about to ask!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Erling Haaland's timely return to form has thrown down the gauntlet to Manchester City's rivals as Pep Guardiola's side chase a domestic treble.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

“A View From the Bridge,” a play whose revenge plot hinges on a tip to immigration authorities, could hardly be more timely.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The difficulty of reopening the strait and bringing the war to a timely conclusion through naval and air power alone has prompted the White House to consider using ground forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield play two very different adolescents in Oscar Boyson’s timely, cynical and incisive feature debut.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Given their low food supplies, traveling down the river in a timely and efficient manner was crucial to their survival.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.