punctual Hear it!

punctual Definition

punc·tual (puŋk′c̸ho̵̅o̅ əl)

adjective

  1. of, like, or drawn into a single point
  2. carefully observant of an appointed time; on time; prompt
  3. Archaic punctilious

Etymology: ME < ML punctualis < L punctus, a point

punctual Related Forms

punc′·tu·al′·ity (-al′ə tē) noun punc′·tu·ally adverb punc′·tu·al·ness noun

punctual Synonyms

punctual

modif.

prompt, precise, particular, on time, on schedule, exact, timely, seasonable, expeditious, periodic, regular, cyclic, dependable, recurrent, constant, steady, scrupulous, punctilious, meticulous, under the wire*, on the nose*; see also accurate 2, reliable 2.

Antonyms unreliable*, careless*, desultory.

punctual Usage Examples

Preposition: for

  • meeting: Be punctual for meetings, shake hands on greeting and exchange business cards.
  • appointment: Please be punctual for appointments as agents and proprietors will be waiting for you.

Modifies a noun

  • airline: With the widest range of holidays available, all linked to the most punctual charter airline, your bound to find the perfect holiday.
  • attendance: A likely candidate had to promise: To keep the rules of the Company, and to give regular and punctual attendance.
  • arrival: A punctual arrival was made at the Moors Center in Danby, leaving me with 40 minutes to spare.
  • payment: Punctual payment is of the essence of the contract.
  • train: That means fast, punctual trains; a modernized efficient London Underground; cities not gummed up by congestion.
  • service: A more punctual service for all users of the Brighton Main Line, with improved reliability.

Modifying Another Word

  • always: It is good that most children at St Mary's are always punctual for school.
  • very: The drivers were very punctual at both ends of our holiday.
  • so: So punctual were we that we actually had time for a little terrace birdwatching before leaving the hotel at 8am.
  • not: Schools should always let EMAS know if this does not happen and/or the bilingual assistant is not punctual.
  • extremely: I was told you had to be extremely punctual - that that was an issue.

Used with adjective complement

make: According to the plan, trains were to be made more punctual.