Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Done or happening at the appropriate or proper time: An action or event that occurs at a suitable, advantageous, or opportune moment.
   • Suitable for the season or occasion: Something that is fitting or appropriate for a particular time or circumstance.

2. Adverb:

   • At an opportune time: Occurring in a way that is well-suited to the circumstances; opportunely.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The manager's well-timed intervention prevented a major conflict.
  • Her well-timed joke lightened the tense atmosphere in the room.
  • The announcement was well-timed to coincide with the product launch.

• Adverb:

  • The rain arrived well-timed, just as we finished the harvest.
  • Your advice came well-timed; I needed it for my meeting this afternoon.

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe strategic actions: Often implies careful planning or fortunate coincidence leading to perfect timing.
  • The politician's well-timed resignation allowed her to avoid the scandal.
• In narratives or critiques: Used to comment on the pacing or occurrence of events in a story, plan, or series of actions.
  • The plot twist was well-timed, maximizing the audience's surprise.

Variants and Related Words

• Timely (adj.): Occurring at a suitable or opportune time; well-timed.
  • The company issued a timely update on the security breach.
• Opportune (adj.): Especially convenient or appropriate for a particular action or event.
  • He waited for an opportune moment to bring up the subject.
• Seasonable (adj.): Usual or suitable for the season; timely. (Note: This is more specific to weather or seasonal events).
  • We finally had some seasonable spring weather.

Synonyms

• Adjective: timely, opportune, apropos, propitious, felicitous.
• Adverb: opportunely, aptly, fittingly.

Related Phrases

• Right on time: Exactly at the appointed or expected time.
• In the nick of time: Just at the critical moment; just before it is too late.
  • The ambulance arrived in the nick of time.

Related Idioms

• Strike while the iron is hot: To take action at the most favorable moment. (This conveys a similar idea of seizing a well-timed opportunity).
  • They received a great offer and decided to strike while the iron was hot and sell the business.

Adjective

1. done or happening at the appropriate or proper time
   • a timely warning
   • with timely treatment the patient has a good chance of recovery
   • a seasonable time for discussion
   • the book's publication was well timed

Adverb

1. at an opportune time
   • your letter arrived apropos