timeliness

timeliness — noun

1. the quality of something being done or happening at the moment when it is most u

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality of something being done or happening at the moment when it is most useful or appropriate

Example

The timeliness of Dr. Renata's diagnosis gave her patient a real chance at recovery.

collocation: timeliness of + noun

Tuan's timeliness in filing the tax return saved his company a large penalty fee.

possessive: [noun]'s timeliness in + gerund

Common collocations
  • timeliness of the response
  • timeliness of the report
  • timeliness of payment
  • critical timeliness
  • proven timeliness
  • question the timeliness
Synonyms
  • promptness

    emphasises speed of action or response; narrower than timeliness

  • punctuality

    focuses on arriving or happening exactly on schedule, especially for people; less flexible than timeliness

  • seasonableness

    very formal and rare; refers to being fitting for the time or occasion

Antonyms
  • untimeliness

    the quality of happening at an inconvenient or wrong time

  • lateness

    refers specifically to being after the expected time, not just poorly timed

Grammar Patterns

timeliness of + noun

[noun]'s timeliness in + gerund

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — cannot be made plural. Most common in formal or professional writing (business reports, journalism, academic papers) rather than everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

I appreciate your timeliness on the report.
I appreciate the timeliness of your report.
use the preposition 'of' rather than 'on' with timeliness.
There were many timelinesses in the project.
Timeliness was important at several points in the project.
timeliness is uncountable and cannot take a plural -s ending.

Word family

  • timely
    adjectiveB2
  • time
    nounA1
  • untimely
    adjectiveC1
  • timer
    nounB1
  • timing
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe being on time, but they differ in scope. Promptness focuses on speed — acting quickly without delay, such as replying to an email within minutes. Punctuality is narrower and schedule-bound — arriving at an exact appointed time, like showing up for a meeting at 9:00 AM sharp. Timeliness is the broadest of the three: it means something happens at the moment when it produces the best effect, which may not be the fastest or the most schedule-perfect. A piece of news published at the exact right moment is timely, even if it took days to verify. A doctor's prompt diagnosis may be timely, but promptness alone does not guarantee timeliness — rushing can produce wrong results. In short: promptness = fast; punctuality = on the clock; timeliness = right for the situation.

promptnesspunctualitytimeliness ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • timeliness is key
  • timeliness of service
  • for the sake of timeliness
  • ensure timeliness
  • improve timeliness
  • lack of timeliness

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English by adding the suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'timely', which comes from Old English 'timlic' meaning 'occurring at a proper or suitable time'. The '-ness' suffix turns adjectives into abstract nouns that refer to a quality or state.