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timely

Definition for timely
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Example Sentences

The timely premise is, therefore, “the creature becomes the creator.”

It’s a timely reminder that much of the progress made on water pollution during the past 51 years is rapidly being undone.

She’s been working on the book for years, but this summer, when public health and social justice are both at the forefront, her opinions about accountability and local political change feel particularly timely.

Google provides many support mechanisms, but we recognize there can be situations where site owners may wish to report urgent bugs or other issues in a timely manner.

Build out processes that enable your organization to publish messaging that’s timely and aligned with what your audience expects to distinguish your brand from the competition.

In addition, I felt the film was really timely given our departures from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Atlantic: “In Bruce Allen Murphy, Scalia has met a timely and unintimidated biographer ready to probe.”

The most critical person for a timely beginning of trial that day was a cat catcher on contract to the Amereicans.

Perhaps a more timely evacuation call could have saved lives.

The answer is basically no one, at least not in “a deliberate or timely way.”

Besides, with these three hungry visiting children, the addition to her pantry stores would be very timely.

I shall not be able to be there within twenty days from this time, of which I will give you timely notice.

He flattered himself that by timely suggestion he had stumped at least half a dozen would-be candidates for Mildreds hand.

At one of these mines they met the old man and his daughter, Meggy, whose timely arrival a few days before had saved their lives.

If anything should delay my journey two or three days later you shall certainly have timely notice.

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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!

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

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