Timely - English Definition & Meaning

Daily Word β€’ Learn, play, and grow your vocabulary

Definition

Something that is 'timely' arrives or happens at the right moment, neither too early nor too late. It's about being perfectly synchronized with the need or occasion. Think of a doctor arriving just in time to administer life-saving treatment. Being timely suggests thoughtfulness and awareness of the situation. In contrast to 'early' or 'late,' 'timely' conveys precision and appropriateness. It's like a perfectly executed play in a sports game.

Etymology

The word 'timely' comes directly from the Old English word 'tΔ«mlΔ«c,' which simply means 'occurring at the right time.' It's a straightforward combination of 'time' and the suffix '-ly,' indicating a characteristic or quality. The etymology reflects the simplicity of the concept: being on time. This word hasn't changed much over the centuries, preserving its original sense of proper timing.

Related Words

Examples

  • "The timely intervention of the firefighters saved the house from burning down."
  • "Her timely reminder helped me remember the important deadline."
  • "The company's timely response to the crisis minimized the damage."
  • "A timely piece of advice can make all the difference in a tough situation.πŸ’‘"

Anecdote / Story

Consider a scene from 'The Avengers' where Iron Man arrives just in time to save Captain America from a crushing blow. That’s a timely arrival! Or think of the moment in 'The Hunger Games' when Katniss receives the parachute with medicine for Peeta. Those instances highlight how perfect timing can change the outcome of a critical situation, just like hitting 'send' on an essay five minutes before the deadline. πŸ˜…

Encouragement

Try to be more timely in your actions! Being on time and addressing things promptly can reduce stress and improve your efficiency. Using 'timely' in your vocabulary will also show you understand the importance of timing. πŸ’―

πŸš€ Ready to expand your vocabulary?

Get expertly crafted daily words delivered straight to your WhatsApp. Join thousands learning new words every day!

βœ… Daily word delivery βœ… Etymology & examples βœ… Interactive learning βœ… 100% free trial
Start Your Free Trial on WhatsApp
πŸ“± Get daily vocabulary on WhatsApp Start Free Trial