TIMELY (timelier, timeliest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: timelier    , timeliest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does timely mean? 

• TIMELY (adjective)
  The adjective TIMELY has 2 senses:

1. before a time limit expires

2. done or happening at the appropriate or proper time

  Familiarity information: TIMELY used as an adjective is rare.

• TIMELY (adverb)
  The adverb TIMELY has 1 sense:

1. at an opportune time

  Familiarity information: TIMELY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TIMELY (adjective)

Comparative: timelier   
Superlative: timeliest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Before a time limit expires

Context example:

the timely filing of his income tax return

Similar:

on time; punctual (acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed)

Derivation:

timeliness (being at the right time)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Done or happening at the appropriate or proper time

Synonyms:

seasonable; timely; well-timed; well timed

Context example:

the book's publication was well timed

Similar:

opportune (suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose)

Derivation:

time (a suitable moment)

timeliness (timely convenience)

timeliness (being at the right time)

• TIMELY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

At an opportune time

Synonyms:

apropos; seasonably; timely; well-timed

Context example:

your letter arrived apropos

 Context examples 

Computers can learn to find solar flares in vast streams of images and help scientists issue timely space weather alerts, according to a new study.

(Detecting solar flares in real time, National Science Foundation)

“The preclinical state of the disease offers a window of opportunity for timely disease-modifying intervention,” Federoff says.

(Study Points to Possible Blood Test For Memory Decline, Alzheimer’s, NIH)

The task is vital because if chemicals are not removed in a timely fashion, they can stimulate neurons in unexpected ways, disrupting normal brain function.

(Research on repetitive worm behavior has implications for understanding human diseases, National Science Foundation)

The objective of this initiative is to ensure that the most important biomarker, imaging, and quality of life studies can be initiated in a timely manner in association with late phase clinical trials.

(Biomarker Imaging Quality of Life Studies Funding Program, NCI Thesaurus)

Recent information about specific and timely events.

(News, NCI Thesaurus)

In the presence of extensive damage or absence of timely repair, these checkpoint-signaling pathways may also trigger a pathway that effects apoptosis.

(Checkpoint Kinase Inhibitor XL844, NCI Thesaurus)

One measure they were looking for was ‘sensitivity’ – the ability to notice, interpret and respond in a timely and appropriate manner to children’s signals, for example if the baby was upset.

(Mother’s attitude towards baby during pregnancy may have implications for child’s development, University of Cambridge)

Additionally, GOES-R’s improved rainfall estimates will lead to more timely and accurate flood warnings.

(GOES-R heads to orbit, will improve weather forecasting, NOAA)

By her next speech, Jo deprived herself of several years of pleasure, and received a timely lesson in the art of holding her tongue.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

This momentous pocket-book was a timely reminder to him of another transaction.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)