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Added 9 October 2026

timely

/ˈtaɪm.li/ adjective

In Latin: temporāneus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about timely at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Before a time limit expires.
the timely filing of his income tax return
Done or happening at the appropriate or proper time.
a timely warning

adverb

At an opportune time.
your letter arrived apropos

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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