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The original meaning of punctual described a puncture made by a surgeon. The word has meant lots of other things through the centuries, usually involving being precise about small points. And today punctuality is all about time; a punctual train or a punctual payment or a punctual person shows up "on the dot".
Examples of punctual in a Sentence
the punctual delivery of the daily mail
Recent Examples on the Web
The result is sweet, lyrical detail and smooth, punctual bass that earned the pair a perfect 10/10 review score from WIRED editor Parker Hall.
—
Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
The Pill also delivers big, polished sound, with refined clarity and punctual definition.
—Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 May 2025
Even Germany’s traditionally punctual train service has become a laughingstock, with jokes about late or canceled trains now standard fare for German comics.
—Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Oklahoma City can shrink better than any team in the league and still recover to the perimeter in punctual fashion.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctual
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Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
The Pill also delivers big, polished sound, with refined clarity and punctual definition.
—Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 May 2025
Even Germany’s traditionally punctual train service has become a laughingstock, with jokes about late or canceled trains now standard fare for German comics.
—Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Oklahoma City can shrink better than any team in the league and still recover to the perimeter in punctual fashion.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punctual
Cite this Entry
“Punctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctual. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punctual
adjective
punc·tu·al
ˈpəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)l 
: acting or usually acting at an appointed time or at a regularly scheduled time
the trains were punctual
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