No Matter How You Say It: Punctuality
In Other Languages
Spanish – puntualidad
French – ponctualité
German – Pünktlichkeit
Italian – puntualità
Swedish – punktlighet
Basque – puntualtasuna
Portugese – pontualidade
For other character qualities related to Punctuality,
visit the Related Qualities page.
Word Origin
Punctuality comes from Medieval Latin punctualis c. 1400, “having a sharp point; producing punctures,”. The meaning “prompt” is recorded by 1670s, from the notion of “exact, precise, insisting on fine points,” including the observation of time and the keeping of appointments (c. 1600).
Can you see how punctuality is precise – not fashionably late?
from Online Etymology Dictionary
Sign Language
Can you see the importance of time in Punctual and how Tardy is showing behind?
Punctuality Idioms
- A race against time
- A stitch in time
- Always be prepared
- Be a metronome
- Be a stickler for time
- Be a sunrise
- Be a ticking clock
- Be a time traveler
- Be a timekeeper
- Be a well-oiled machine
- Be early to avoid being late
- Be like a racehorse
- Be like a shooting star
- Be like clockwork
- Be like the early bird
- Be mindful of the clock
- Be prompt
- Be punctual
- Be there like clockwork
- Have a schedule and stick to it
- Have time on your side
- Keep good time
- Make good time
- Meet deadlines
- Not be one to waste time
- Not miss a beat
- Not miss the boat
- Not waste a moment
- On borrowed time
- On the dot
- On the nose
- Only time will tell
- Perfect timing
- Run a tight ship
- Stick to the schedule
- Time waits for no one
- Time’s awastin’
- Timing is everything
- Under the wire
- Value time