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Definition of punctual

punctual

/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/
punc · tu · al
Adverb:punctually
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punctual Lexical Profile

punctual Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Happening, arriving, or doing something at the agreed or proper time; not late.

Example

"She is always punctual for morning meetings and expects the same professionalism from her colleagues."

2

Relating to or having the nature of a geometric point or an instantaneous moment in time, without duration or spatial extent.

Example

"In linguistics, a punctual verb denotes an instantaneous action rather than an ongoing process."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for punctual

• Nearby Words

punchline
punchout
punchy
punctual
punctuality
punctually
punctuate

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Medieval Latin punctualis ('of or relating to a point'), derived from Latin punctum ('a point' or 'a prick'), from the verb pungere ('to prick'). The modern sense of arriving or acting at the exact appointed point in time emerged in the 17th century.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Punctual. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/punctual
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