timing

"Timing" is something that is usually good or bad. If it’s good, that means you did something at a good time and you benefited; if it’s bad, that means you did something at a bad time and this caused a problem. The word "timing" is a noun. The meaning is different from the verb "time."

• If you have good timing, you’re lucky.
• If you have bad timing, you’re unlucky.
• Laura’s timing was very good. She got to the store just as they were opening the door.
• Christopher’s timing was bad. As he left his house for work, it started to rain really hard.
• The timing for the wedding was just right. They planned it for the summer when people were on vacation and could attend.
• The timing for the party couldn’t have been worse. It happened during a holiday weekend when most people were away.
• People whose timing was good bought houses when they were inexpensive.
• People whose timing was bad bought houses when the housing market was frothy and houses were overpriced.

They tried to start a campfire just as it started to rain. Their timing wasn’t very good.

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

This page was first published on June 13, 2012. It was updated on February 10, 2016.