Untimeliest

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Experiencing the least favorable timing, an event takes place at the most inopportune moment possible
2. Manifesting at the least appropriate time, a situation exhibits the greatest lack of suitability for timing
3. Happening at the absolutely worst possible moment, causing inconvenience or problems

Etymology: "Untimeliest" is the superlative of "untimely", so it names the most badly timed of several things. The base word is simply "un-" attached to "timely", meaning "on time" or "at the right moment", and "untimely" means "not at the proper time." Its earliest English relatives are Old English "untídlic", meaning "unseasonable," and Middle Danish "utimelig," showing the same idea of falling outside the right season. The base "timely" comes from "time" with the adjective-forming "-ly," so the whole word is built from ordinary English parts. Early uses in Middle English often applied to death, especially a death that came before its natural time, which is why "untimely" still carries that sorrowful sense today.

Synonyms: most inappropriate, most ill-timed

Antonyms: timely, appropriate