uhn-TEYEM-lee
/əˈntaɪmli/
untimely is pronounced uhn-TEYEM-lee (/əˈntaɪmli/). Untimely describes something happening or done at an inappropriate or inconvenient time, or something occurring prematurely and not in its proper season. It often carries a sense of misalignment with expected timing and can imply regret or ill fortune. The term is commonly used in formal writing and editorial contexts as well as in everyday speech when signaling an untimely interruption or death, emphasizing timing rather than intent.
Untimely describes something happening or done at an inappropriate or inconvenient time, or something occurring prematurely and not in its proper season. It often carries a sense of misalignment with expected timing and can imply regret or ill fortune. The term is commonly used in formal writing and editorial contexts as well as in everyday speech when signaling an untimely interruption or death, emphasizing timing rather than intent.
- You may fall into 1) weak middle syllable and mis-stressed TIM; ensure the primary stress is on TIM: un-TIM-ly, not un-TI M-ly. 2) Slurring the final -ly into a dull 'lɪ' or 'li' with reduced clarity; aim for a crisp /li/ with a light /l/ not a heavy one. 3) Vowel misquality in TIM: pronounce /ɪ/ as /iː/ or /eɪ/ in fast speech; keep the short i sound. Practice with slow articulation before speed.
"The sudden rainstorm was untimely for the outdoor wedding, forcing guests to seek shelter indoors."
"His untimely departure left the project without its lead designer and caused delays."
"The novel’s untimely twist surprised readers who expected a more gradual revelation."
Untimely is pronounced as un-TIM-ly, with the primary stress on TIM. In IPA: US/UK/AU: ʌnˈtɪm.li. The first syllable is a weak schwa-like sound followed by the stressed 'TIM' which uses /tɪm/. The final 'ly' sounds like /li/ rather than /lɪ/ in some fast speech. Position your tongue mid-high, lips relaxed, and release the /t/ with a light stop before the /ɪ/; end with a clear /l/ and short /i/ vowel.
Two common errors: (1) pressure on the second syllable with incorrect vowel quality, saying /ˈʌnˌtaɪmli/ or misplacing stress; (2) blending the final -ly into a dull /lɪ/ instead of a crisp /li/. Correction: keep the primary stress on /ˈtɪm/ and pronounce the final /li/ clearly with a light, almost consonant-like /l/ before a bright /i/. Practicing with a minimal pair like 'timetally' can help contrast the /ɪ/ vs /aɪ/; slow down the release of /t/ and ensure the /l/ is not swallowed.
In US, the /ɪ/ in TIM is often a purer short i, with non-rhoticity not affecting this word significantly; you’ll hear clear /ˈtɪm/ and a light /li/ at the end. UK speakers keep similar timing but may have a crisper /t/ release and slightly rounded /u/ in the first syllable, with /ˈtɪm.li/. Australian English mirrors UK patterns but may exhibit a softer /ɪ/ and more centralized vowel before /l/. Overall, rhoticity is not a major factor here, but vowel quality and the final /li/ clarity differ slightly by region.
The difficulty lies in delivering the multi-syllabic rhythm with the stressed middle syllable and the clear /l/ + /i/ sequence at the end. Speakers often misplace stress, say /ˌʌnˈtaɪmli/ (wrong vowel in TIM) or flatten the final /li/ into a flat /lɪ/. Focus on a crisp /t/ release, accurate /ɪ/ in TIM, and ensuring the /li/ is a clean, light syllable that doesn’t swallow the 'l'.
There are no silent letters in untimely, but many learners softly reduce the first syllable to a schwa and mishear the middle /t/ as an alveolar stop with strong aspiration or as a burst before /ɪ/. The key quirk is sustaining the mid-stress on TIM and leaving the final /li/ unvoiced but light, so avoid drawing out the /l/ or darkening the vowel. Visualize the mouth as steady through TIM and finish with a bright /li/.
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- US: /ʌnˈtɪm.li/; non-rhotic doesn't affect this word; keep rhoticity neutral. - UK: /ʌnˈtɪm.li/ with crisper /t/ release and slightly tenser /ɪ/; - AU: /ʌnˈtɪm.li/ with a lighter, relaxed /ɪ/ and sometimes a more fronted /i/; across all, the final /li/ should be a clean syllable, not a schwa.
Untimely comes from the combination of the prefix un- (not) and timely, a compound from time and -ly adverbial suffix. The root timely derives from Old English time (‘a measure, season, occasion’) and was influenced by Germanic and Latin terms for time, with the suffix -ly forming an adverbial or adjective meaning ‘in a timely manner’ or ‘characterized by timing.’ The negative prefix un- entered English usage by the late Middle Ages, creating untimely to describe something not fitting the expected time or season. Historically, untimely first appeared in print around the 14th to 15th centuries as a descriptor for events occurring at an inappropriate moment, later expanding to include premature or ill-fated incidents. Over time, the sense broadened to cover actions, interruptions, or deaths deemed ill-timed, both in solemn and informal registers. The word’s persistence in literature and journalism reflects its precise emphasis on timing as a moral or practical misalignment rather than mere duration.
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Words that rhyme with "untimely"
-ime sounds
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