adjective
punctual
PUNK-choo-ul/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/
Arriving or happening at the scheduled time.
Our punctual neighbor arrives at every meeting right on time.
Etymology
The image of a prick or sharp point developed into exactness about fine points. When that precision concerned time and appointments, “punctual” came to mean arriving or happening when expected.
In context
The clock struck two, as he put the question; and, punctual to the moment, the carriage came round to take Miss Rachel to her aunt’s.
More examples
- The bus is punctual even during the morning rush.
- Please be punctual for your appointment.
- Her punctual arrival keeps our plans on schedule.
Forms
punctual · more punctual · most punctual
punctuality noun — The habit of arriving at scheduled times.
punctually adverb — At the scheduled time, without being late.
Similar words
- prompt
- Emphasizes acting quickly, not necessarily following a set schedule.
- timely
- Means occurring at a useful moment, not necessarily a scheduled one.