Meaning & use
punctually
Last updated
UK/ˈpʌŋktʃuəli/
US/ˈpʌŋktʃuəli/
Meaning
adverb
At the exact time agreed or expected; without being late.
Grammar: Modifies a verb or whole clause, often placed after the verb or at the start: She arrived punctually.
Patterns
- arrive punctually
- start punctually
- punctually at [time]
The meeting started punctually at nine o'clock.
She always arrives punctually, even in heavy traffic.
Please make sure the train leaves punctually.
Common combinations
- arrive punctually
- He arrived punctually for the interview.
- start punctually
- The concert will start punctually at 7 p.m.
- punctually at
- The ceremony began punctually at noon.
- leave punctually
- The bus leaves punctually every hour.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on time
- More common in everyday speech; 'punctually' is slightly more formal and often used in written or official contexts.
- promptly
- Similar but can also mean 'quickly, without delay'; 'punctually' focuses on the scheduled time.
Opposites
latetardily
Word family
- punctual adjective
- Arriving or happening at the agreed time.
- punctuality noun
- The quality of being on time.
Commonly confused: punctually or punctuate?
punctually vs punctuate
A verb meaning to add punctuation marks; not related to time.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'Punctually' is the adverb modifying 'arrived'. 'Punctual' is an adjective and would need a noun (e.g., 'a punctual arrival'). 'Punctuality' is a noun, and 'punctualy' is a misspelling.
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