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punctuality

punctuality

16 3.5
Arriving or finishing things at the agreed time
  • noun
  • /ˌpʌŋk.tʃuˈæl.ɪ.ti/
translation icon : puntualidad
  • Many employers value punctuality as it reflects reliability and respect for others' time.
  • punctuality and attendance
  • punctuality and obedience
  • punctuality for the appointment

It is said that punctuality is the courtesy of kings and I would suppose Queens, but be on time.

Examples

  • The very concept of punctuality obviously has varying meanings and importance for different occupations and work groups.

    Academic text (2002)
  • In our profession, punctuality is not an option.

  • Women will appreciate your punctuality because it will show them that you care and that is huge.

  • An important aspect of time is punctuality in your start and stop times.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Your punctuality matches your reputation.

  • Punctuality is a priority for this particular person.

  • The quiz group did have higher rates of punctuality and attendance.

    Academic text (2006)
  • If there's one quality that I admire in a person, it's punctuality.

  • I prize punctuality.

  • We especially stress neatness, truthfulness and punctuality.

Synonyms

timeliness
vspunctuality
5 4.8

Happening at the right time

focuses on matching fixed agreed schedules rather than situational timing
promptness
vspunctuality
4 3.5

Doing something quickly and at the expected time

emphasises steady consistent arrival at agreed times

Antonyms

15 4.1

Arriving late for work, school, or an appointment

10 1.6

Arriving after the time people expect you to be there

How Punctual

earliness
1 4.9
punctuality
16 3.5
promptness
4 3.5
timeliness
5 4.8

Surface Forms

punctuality singular
punctualities plural

Morphology

punctuality = punctual (transparent) = punctual + punct + ity

The noun 'punctuality' is transparently derived from the adjective 'punctual' by adding the suffix '-ity' to denote a quality or state.

Etymology

Punctuality comes from the Latin root punct-, which means 'point'. Think of arriving exactly at the 'point' on a clock, so punctuality means being on time.